40 REEETING OF [NSPECTOBS OF APIARIES. 



any assistance in his power, lie applied to two prominent foundation makers 

 for information. Prom their replies it is apparent that, for a short time at any 

 rate, during the refining and purifying-of the wax it reaches a temperature 

 quite at or Dear 212 F. During sheeting, however, it apparently does not reach 

 a temperature much above the melting point, say 17.".- F. They both seemed to 

 agree that steam heal for too long a time injures the quality of the wax. 



in the American Bee Journal, 1891, page 47u. we find some statements on the 

 subject in a reply by two prominent foundation makers to ;ui article by Mr. 

 Cornei] upon the dangers of infected comb foundation. One of them, Mr. 

 l>ailant. states that in refining it is heated for some time at 212° P. and is kept 

 liquid for twenty-four hours. The other. Mr. M. II. Hunt, states that it is kept 

 at the boiling point for six or seven hours. If these are the actual tempera- 

 tures reached during foundation making, I am inclined to think there is little 

 danger from foul brood in that direction. 



I thought it possible that tin 1 whole question could he settled by introducing 

 a certain amount of some disinfectant — say heta naphthol — into the melted wax. 

 hut my results have not been satisfactory. Apparently even the introduction of 

 1 per cent heta naphthol into wax did not hasten materially the destruction of 

 the spores. I was able to demonstrate the presence of living spores in wax 

 containing 1 per cent beta naphthol and heated for two hours to 194° F. 



From all these facts, and taking into consideration also the physical fact of 

 the settling of the bacilli to the bottom. 1 should think that with reasonable care 

 in the preparation of comb foundation the dangers of infection from this source 

 would he slight. But that the spores may germinate after being mixed with the 

 wax, I think I have shown. 



Why the spores of the Bacillus alvei are killed so quickly in the melted wax 

 I am not able to explain, but it may be due to the fact that the wax itself 

 when heated to such a temperature has an antiseptic value. That the spores 

 resist other antiseptics as strongly as do the spores of anthrax I have proved 

 by testing. 



Cheshire and others recommend a solution of 2 per cent carbolic acid for 

 disinfecting the hive after removing infected comb, but on actual experiment 

 with the infected silk threads I have found that 2 per cent carbolic acid did 

 not kill the spores in six days. These results are similar to those obtained 

 by Koch for the spores of anthrax, and show that 2 per cent carbolic acid 

 can not be relied on to destroy the spores. However, the question of the 

 value of antiseptics I will take up more in detail later on in this paper. 



I would like to say a word or two now on the methods of treating the 

 disease. There are practically two methods: first the starvation method: 

 second, the method of medicated sirup. Mr. McEvoy's method of treatment. 

 it seems to me, is practically a modification of the starvation method. The 

 first method is widely used both here and in the United States, whilst in 

 England and Europe generally the second method is adhered to. 



Considering the vitality of the spores of foul brood, it would seem at first 

 sight useless to try any process which did not recognize as its foundation 

 the destruction of the germ. I find, however, that many prominent bee 

 keepers who have had practical experience with the method of starvation, 

 or Mr. McEvoy's method, accept it as successful. 1 have not had an oppor- 

 tunity to examine colonies which have been cured in this manner, ami so can 

 not say that the bacilli have disappeared. I hope next summer to test this 

 question more fully. We may. however, examine into the rationale of the 

 method. In conversation with Mr. Corned, of Lindsay, he made a suggestion 

 which may be quite familiar to you all. hut which seems to me the only explana- 



