AMERICAN FOULBROOD. 41 



is very likely that they are capable of remaining so for a very much 

 longer period. 



24. The spores resisted the destructive effects of fermentation for 

 more than 7 weeks at incubator and outdoor temperatures, respect- 

 ively, and probably are able to withstand these agencies for a very 

 much longer period. 



25. The spores resist carbolic acid at room temperature in strengths 

 ordinarily used as a disinfectant for periods of months; 1 to 1000 

 mercuric chlorid for days; 10 per cent formalin for hours. 



26. Experiments recorded in the present paper indicate that drugs 

 do not materially affect the course of the disease. 



27. American foulbrood infection is transmitted primarily 

 through the food of bees; possibly at times to some extent through 

 their water supply. Robbing from the diseased colonies of the 

 apiary, or from neighboring apiaries, is the most likely mode by which 

 the disease is transmitted in nature. 



28. The placing of brood combs containing diseased brood with 

 healthy colonies will result in the transmission of the disease. 



29. Flowers should not be considered as a likely medium through 

 which infection may take place. 



30. Whether the disease is ever transmitted by queens or drones 

 has not been determined. That they have been overestimated at 

 times as possible sources of infection seems likely. 



31. It is quite probable that in many cases hives which have 

 housed colonies infected with American foulbrood will not transmit 

 the disease to healthy colonies transferred to them. Results from 

 the present studies confirm the observation made by beekeepers that 

 danger from this source may be removed by properly flaming such 

 hives inside. 



32. The clothing of those about an apiary, and the hands of the 

 apiarist are not fruitful sources for the transmission of the disease. 



33. Tools and bee supplies generally about an infected apiary will 

 not transmit the infection in the absence of robbing from those 

 sources. 



34. American foulbrood usually can be diagnosed from the symp- 

 toms alone. A definite diagnosis can always be made from suitable 

 samples by bacteriological methods. 



35. The prognosis in the disease in the absence of treatment is 

 decidedly grave but with proper treatment it is favorable. 



36. From the technical viewpoint many of the problems consid- 

 ered in these studies have been solved only partially; from the prac- 

 tical point of view, however, the results are sufficient to make a logical, 

 efficient, and economic treatment of American foulbrood possible. 



