352 DIFFERENT CURES FOR THE DYSENTERY. 



recommends the addition of a portion of wax, for the pur- 

 pose of giving a proper degree of consistency to the 

 mixture ; the advice, however, is highly injudicious. The 

 process of ebullition will impart a sufficient degree of con- 

 sistency to the liquid, and wax is of all substances the last, 

 which should be introduced into the food of the bee, 

 whether naturally or medicinally. 



Wildman recommends the sprinkling of common salt 

 well pounded on the stand. The advice may be founded on 

 good judgment : but on the same principle, that although a 

 horse may be taken to the water, it does not thence follow 

 that he can be made to drink ; so the mere sprinkling of the 

 salt on the stand of a hive is no guarantee that the bees will 

 eat it ; in fact, we are convinced that no food can be medicin- 

 ally imparted to the bees, that is not disguised by some 

 saccharine matter. Mr. Parkyns, a barrister, recommends 

 the salt to be dissolved in water, but by what means are the 

 bees to be compelled to imbibe the medicine presented 

 to them ? Salt is no doubt highly salutary to bees, 

 but it is only in a state of health that they will partake 

 of it. 



Mr. Lombard recommends a curious remedy, but it is 

 in perfect character with the majority of his Huberian con- 

 ceits, and it is not the only one of his remedies that ends in 

 smoke. Fumigation may be considered as the hobby horse 

 of Mr. Lombard, and although in some of his transactions 

 with his bees it is undoubtedly of great efficacy ; yet we 

 consider it in the cure of the dysentery in the bees, which 

 is an internal malady, as possessing not the slightest virtue. 

 Mr. Lombard takes an earthen or iron vessel in which he 

 puts some live coals, and sprinkles over them some linen 

 rags, dried leaves, or pieces of dried calf's dung. The more 

 profuse the smoke, the more certain the remedy, and when 

 the smoke is at its height, the hive is gently raised, and the 

 vessel placed under it. According to the dictum of Mr. 



