80 PROFITABLE BEE-KEEPING 
a heavy toll of bee life. The bacillus, after certain 
changes, forms spores, analogous to the seeds of 
plants. These are easily disseminated, and of 
great vitality, retaining their power of activity 
after a period of years, and they are immune toany 
chemical agent which would not injure the bees. 
When attacked the larve turns toa pale yellow, 
and later toa dark brown substance of glue-like 
consistency, and with a very objectionable odour. 
In the early stages the larva which is unsealed is 
noticeably flabby and distorted, while the sealed 
larve in bad cases shows sunken and dark-coloured 
capping, often perforated by the bees with irregu~- 
lar holes, as if an attempt had been made at 
removal. i 
Black brood is a very similar disease, and in bad 
cases both of this and foul-brood, the same mea- 
sures should be adopted as for Isle of Wight 
disease. Milder cases may be treated by the 
starvation method. This consists of shaking the 
bees from their combs, and confining them ina 
box, or skep, for forty-eight hours without food. 
Give them plenty of air, and at the expiration of 
the time hive them in a clean hive on sheets of 
foundation, and slow-feed with syrup medicated 
with napthol beta. If possible re-queen the 
colony. 
In dealing with these two disorders, it must 
never be forgotten that both are highly infectious, 
and the spores may be readily carried from colony 
to colony by means of contaminated appliances. 
