72 
of the readiness with which it can be transmitted from infected 
to healthy stocks, it is very destructive, and it behoves bee- 
keepers to exercise the greatest vigilance in order to keep their 
apiaries free from it. 
The term ‘“‘ Foul Brood ”’ is applied to more than one disease 
of bees. In Ireland it nearly always refers to one of two forms 
of disease, both of which are very prevalent throughout the 
country. These are commonly known as “ European Foul 
Brood,” Bacillus alvei (hive bacillus); and ‘“‘ American Foul 
Brood,” the Bacillus larve of Franklin White. 
If a stock becomes affected by foul brood, and prompt and 
effective measures are not taken to check the progress of the 
disease, the infection will almost certainly spread to the remain- 
ing stocks of the apiary, and if unchecked will lead to their 
ruin. It is therefore most important that efficient measures 
should be adopted to prevent its introduction, or to secure 
its eradication wherever it has appeared. 
A bee-keeper who knows or suspects that foul brood exists 
in his apiary, should avoid entering any other healthy apiary. 
The commonest causes of foul brood infection are :— - 
Healthy stocks robbing diseased stocks. 
166. Sources of The supply to bees of honey or combs from 
Infection. a diseased hive. 
The transfer of frames from a diseased to 
a healthy hive. 
Neglect on the part of the operator, after handling a diseased 
stock, to thoroughly disinfect his hands and clothing or such 
appliances as may have been infected. 
The acquisition of infected swarms or stocks. 
Experience proves that the following conditions are specially 
conducive to the development of the 
167. Conditions disease :— 
favourable to Damp and closely sheltered situations, 
Foul Brood. especially where the hives are much 
overshadowed by trees. 
Dirty hives. 
Badly ventilated hives. 
Hives which are not weather-proof. 
Weak stocks. 
A frame of brood in a healthy hive has, near its centre, a more 
or less circular patch of brood. In the 
168. Symptoms. cells constituting this brood patch there will 
be found small grubs or larve, the best 
developed of which present a plump pearly-white appearance, as 
they lie curled up in the shape of the letter “‘ C ”’ at the bottom 
of the cells ; but when the disease is present, particularly in its 
more advanced stages, these larvee will frequently be noticed 
lying in various other positions, often with their backs up. 
In the “ capped ” stage, the capping of healthy brood is usually 
flat, or very slightly raised, rarely sunken ; whereas the capping 
