49 



ordinarily cause any serious loss and as a rule no treatment is necessary. 

 The real seriousness of the disease is in mistaking it for American or 

 European foul brood and treating accordingly. 



DISEASE OF ADULT BEES. 



Since very little is known concerning the causes of diseases affecting 

 the mature bee very little treatment can be given. 



DYSENTARY. 



Sometimes bees, after being ccnflned for a long time during the winter, 

 accumulate such an unusual amount of indigestible material that they 

 are unable to retain their fecal matter until flight. The hive and comb 

 are then spotted and this condition is known as dysentery. The treat- 

 ment recommended is to provide light colored honey for wintering. 



PARALYSIS OR MAY DISEASE. 



In this disease the abdomen' becomes distended, the bees crawl about 

 as half paralyzed and appear to be in great misery. This condition often 

 ceases in a few days but occasionally colonies affected lose so many 

 bees that they become worthless. Sometimes the queen contracts the 

 disease and dies. Since the direct cause is unknown no treatment can 

 be given. 



Figure 29. 

 Winter Extracts its Toll. Notice Empty Hives in Background. 

 Colonies Were Left Out of One Hundred Going into Winter. 

 Losses Bue to Lack of Protection. 



Ten 



