568 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
the presence of the camphor. The so-called coffee 
cure it cannot be uncharitable to regard as a mere silly 
whim, which does not deserve to be dignified by dis- 
cussion. 
General vigour in the colony is, possibly, some 
defence against an attack, for the cell life of the 
bacillus has to battle against the cell life of the bee, 
in order that it may convert the tissues of the latter 
into its feeding-ground. Thus, in consumption, the 
bacillus causing it may be held in check during 
vigorous bodily health ; but a cold, or any lowering 
of tone, gives the bacillus a chance, and it multi- 
plies, invading the lung; producing the “ cheesing ” 
so well known to the medical man. It is, on the 
other hand, however, untrue that mouldy combs, want 
of ventilation, dampness, or even chilled brood, cause 
an outbreak, for this can alone follow the introduc- 
tion of the special organism from which the disease 
is alw^ays derived. 
A considerable number of instances occur in which 
numerous undersized, hairless, and greasy-looking bees 
are found perambulating the combs, or are dragged, 
nolentes volentes, to the hive door, and then and there 
evicted. In other cases, crowds of these ‘‘abnormal” 
bees die immediately in front of their homes, while 
many are usually to be found running about upon the 
ground, constantly stopping to rub their legs, antennae, 
and bodies, with a nervous, uneasy movement, and 
then, collecting into little knots, continue these con- 
vulsive twitchings until they die. This disease is 
commonly most destructive in the spring, but it may 
continue active throughout the year. The old explana- 
