262 THE BEE-KEEPER’S MANUAL 
tion. Fifthly, is set down an idea somewhat resem- 
bling that which has been since pursued to the dis- 
covery of the cure—the existence of a thread-fungus 
in the chyle-stomach of some bees, which it is con- 
jectured may prevent their digesting the pollen which 
they have to prepare for the larve. This the Baron 
would not accept at all; “for,” says he, “ healthy 
stocks often exhibit this fungus” (in itself, however, 
he tells us elsewhere it is believed contagious). The 
sixth and last view ascribes the disease to too great 
meddlesomeness on the part of the bee-keeper—in- 
cessant interference with the natural course of the 
insect life, and the repeated administration of noxious 
smoke. The fact of the disease having been all but 
unknown till the experimental processes of the present 
generation came into vogue,* must cause the reflec- 
tive to ponder, as the Baron did, over this quotation : 
“The nearer bees are left in a wild state, the less 
does the disease show itself; and the movable combs 
and especially the Italianising mania, have brought 
it to its culmination. It is very likely to be brought 
on by too frequent removal of frames, too violent 
shaking of combs, the admittance of dazzling light 
or hot rays of the sun, or by strongly narcotic to- 
bacco smoke.” Very naively the Baron adds, ‘‘ This 
is the view of my wife, who, without my knowledge, 
and not altogether to my particular gratification, 
communicated it to the Bienen-Zeitung in 1868.” 
He winds up, however, by declaring that if we can- 
not deny that there is something in the idea, still 
* So Mr. Neighbour writes in ‘The Apiary:” “Foul brood is not 
avery general complaint, and, as tar «s our observation extends, has 
been most fatal in large experimental apiaries.” 
