DISEASED BROOD. 
271 
whooping-cough, and measles, and their rapid spread 
from a given point, &c. We must also admit that 
some cause or causes, adequate to the effect, must 
have produced the first case. To contagion, then, 
I would attribute the spread of this disease of our 
bees, at least nineteen cases in twenty. I will admit, 
if you please, that one stock in twenty or fifty may be 
somewhat affected by a chill to a small extent. It is 
only a portion of the brood that is in danger — only 
such as have been sealed over, and before they have 
progressed to the chrysalis state, are attacked. How 
many then can there be in a hive at any one time, in 
just the right stage of development to receive the fatal 
chill ? Of course there will be some ; but they should 
be confined to the cells near the bottom, where the 
bees had left them exposed. These should be all ; 
and these few would never seriously damage the stock. 
Why then does this disease, when thoroughly started, 
spread so rapidly throughout all the combs in the 
hive ? Will it be said that the chill is repeated every 
few days through the summer? Or will it be admitted 
that something else may continue it ? 
I think there must be other causes, besides the chill, 
even to start it, in most cases. As our practice will 
be in accordance with the view we take of this matter, 
and the result of our course will be somewhat import- 
ant, I will give some of the reasons that have led to 
this conclusion. 
