^34 



afis), and the disease is spread by the distribution of its 

 spores among unaffected bees. The disease is primarily 

 one of the digestive system, and aftected Bees are, as a 

 rule, unable to fly more than a few yards without alight- 

 ing. As the disease progresses the Bees can only fly a 

 few feet from the hive, and then drop and crawl aimlessly 

 over the ground. They may often be seen crawling up 

 grass stems or up the supports of the hive. Diseased 

 Bees frequently lose their power of flight, their abdomens 

 become greatly distended, and often the wings are out 

 of joint,'' the hind wings protruding upwards and outside 

 the anterior pair. In bad attacks large numbers of 

 diseased Bees are to be found clustered together within 

 the hive, or on the alighting board and ground. Some- 

 times the symptoms resemble those of " Bee paralysis or 

 of dysentry," but nevertheless the disease is quite dis- 

 tinct from either of these complaints. The spores of the 

 disease are spread in various ways; thus water near the 

 hives becomes infected with Bee excrement, containing 

 the spores,, which are liable to be imbibed by the next 

 Bee which visits the same spot. Honey, pollen and wax 

 also become infected with the spores m a similar manner, 

 and are very fertile sources for spreading the disease. 

 Infection from one hive or apiary to another can be 

 effected by the sale of diseased swarms, by the robbing 

 of a diseased colony by healthy Bees, and by swarms 

 occupying hives which w^ere formerl}/ infected. Bad 

 weather also encourages the spread of the complaint, as 

 the bees do not then take cleansing flights. There is 

 evidence to indicate that partial immunity of stocks 

 happens. Such stocks, however, might be hard to recog- 

 nise, and at the same time would act as sources of infec- 

 tion for susceptable colonies. As regards measures 

 against the disease, healthy stocks should be remo\'ed 

 from the neighbourhood of diseased hives. Clean water 

 should be readily accessible, changed daily and protected 

 from contamination. The usual drinking places should, 

 if possible, be done away with. All dead Bees should 

 be burnt and diseased colonies, including the queens, 

 destroyed. The ground around the hives should be dug 

 over and treated with quicklime. Infected hives and all 

 utensils should be charred inside and out with a painter's 

 lamp. In place of charring a very thorough application 

 of formalin or carbolic acid may be used, and the hives 



