14 



dead pupae. The disease rapidly spreads to surrounding cells and 

 combs if allowed to take its course, till finally no brood can hatch, 

 and the colony succumbs. On opening some of the cells a thii\ 

 glue-like coffee-coloured mass will be noticed, which on the insertion 

 of a splinter of wood will adhere to the point, and can be drawn 

 rope-like for some little distance out of the cells. This is one of the 

 most distinctive features of " foul brood," and where present is 

 generally considered conclusive of the disease. Later on this glue- 

 like substance dries up into the before-mentioned black scale-like 

 body. 



Other symptoms are "pin-holes" and ragged perforations in tbe 

 cappings of the cells, clearly shown in Plates III. and IV., and a very 

 disagreeable smell resembling heated glue or tainted meat, which can 

 be very often detected at some yards away from a badly infected hive, 

 especially in close weather. The characteristic odour cannot easily 

 be detected in the earliest stages, even when an infected comb is 

 placed close to the nose, but some slight difference can be noticed 

 between that and healthy comb at all times. 



Other Diseases in comparison with " Foul Brood." 



"Chilled brood" — that is, brood which has died from cold or 

 neglect — has sometimes, through some of the symptoms appearing 

 similar to " foul brood," been taken for the latter. Cheshire says 

 the discoloration in the larvae of " chilled brood " is usually a 

 change to grey, and not to brown, as in " foul brood." He 

 also says that the characteristic odour of " foul brood " is 

 absent. 



What is termed " pickled brood" is due to a fungus, and is only 

 mildly contagious. The brood is always watery, and turns black. 

 The ropiness and odour of " foul brood " is absent, and the same 

 may be said of "black brood," which is jelly-like in consistency. I 

 have seen "chilled brood," but not "pickled brood" or "black 

 brood." 



" Scalded brood " . The dead brood in this case has a very 

 moist and heated appearance, as though it had been parboiled ; it 

 rapidly becomes putrid, and in this condition has an exceedingly 

 offensive smell. "Scalded brood" may readily be mistaken bv a novice 

 for " foul brood," as I have known on two or three occasions. The 

 cause is excessive heat and insufficient ventilation. It may also be 

 brought about by confining brood in hives while transporting them 

 to a distance. On this account all brood should be removed from 

 hives about to be closed for more than a few hours, and then they 

 should be well ventilated. 



