GENERAL HISTORY OF FOUL BROOD, 



It is generally conooded that apiculture is an important factor in 

 the economy of nature, assisting greatly in tlie fertilization of 

 plants, without wliich tl.ey would hear no fruit; that is, seed. But 

 besides this, the proceeds from a well- managed apiaiy very fre- 

 quently are equal to, sometimes exceeding that of the same number 

 of acres, as colonies are kept. Many good farmers and horticultur- 

 ists are also extensjve bee-keepers, and quite often make more 

 money out of their apiaries than out of the ground they till. This 

 has induced many t;o niake apiculture their sole occupation, and, if 

 well managed, has generally proven to be a success. But the api- 

 arist has to contend wit,h many disasters which threaten to ruin his 

 colonies, Chiefest among which is probably brood pest, generally 

 called foul brood. 



This disease seems to Imve been known since bees were domesti- 

 cated, having been mentioned by ancient wiiters on apiculture. . It 

 will quite often ruin and annihilate the apiaries of extensive coun- 

 tries in a very short time, if not stayed in its progress. To combat 

 this pestilence different ineffective nostrum--, spices, tea and coffee 

 were used, without success of course. 



Not before the investigal ions of men like Fischer, Hilbert, Lamp- 

 recht, Preuss, Schoenfeld and others threw some light on the sub- 

 ject as to the nature, cause and development of this malady, was it 

 possible to discover a remedy and successfully combat this disease. 



Immediately after its discovery as being of a putrifactive nature 

 caused by Bacteria, different antiseprics were tried, especially Phe- 

 nol and Thymol. But these would either kill the bees if used in 

 solution strong enough to destroy bacteria; or, if dilated so as to 

 be harmless to bees, would not kill bacteria of foul brood. 



Not until salicylic acid had been discovered by Professor Kolbe 

 as an -antiseptic, and recommended by others to try it in foul brood, 

 was there a shadow of hope. 



Mr. Hilbert, whose apiary was affected with foul brood in its 

 worst type, finally went to work and gave salicylic acid a severe 

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