THE APIARY,

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 4

THE APIARY,

IMPORTANT PAPER ON FOUL BROOD.

By J. J. Mackenzie, 8.A., Bacteriologist of

the Prov. Board of Health, Ontario.

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; and, second, the method by medicated syrup. Mr M'Evoy's method of treatment seems to me practically a modification of the starvation method. The first method is widely used both here and in the United States, whilst in England and in Europe generally the second method is adhered to. Considering the vitality of the 6pores of foul brood, it would seem at first sight useless to try any process which did not recognise at its foundation the destruction of the germ. I find, however, that many prominent beekeepers who have had practical experience with the method of starvation or Mr M'Evoy's method accept it as successful. I have not had an opportunity to examine colonies which have been cured in this manner, and so cannot 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 Cornell, of Lindsay, he made a suggestion which may be quite familiar to you all, but which seems to me the only explanation. That suggestion was that either starvation or combbuilding carried the infected nurses past the period at which they act as nurses, and gave them a chance to rid their intestines of the germ. If this is combined with a removal to absolutely clean hives with new foundation it may succeed, but I must say that absolute cleanliness in this respect must be insisted upon. As I said above, I have not had an opportunity of investigating the results of these methods practically, and so cannot speak with certainty. The fact of the presence of the bacilli in the workers and in the queen bears to a certain extent upon this question. Cheshire and others make the statement that the bacilli are found in the intestine of the workers and in the ovary of the queens. My own experience confirms this. I have found them repeatedly in the workers, and in five queens from infected hives I succeeded in obtaining the bacillus from the ovaries of three. That they are not always present in the ovaries of the queens from diseased colonies is certain; their presence there is apparently accidental. For instance, in the case ot one of last year's queens, in a hive rather badly diseased, I was unable to find the bacillus, whilst in a Bix weeks' queen from a hive in which there were only a few diseased cells I succeeded in finding it. Cheshire's statement that he found a bacillus in an egg of an infected queen seems to me to require confirmation. I have not been able to find the eggs infected myself, but it is a question which would require very long and careful investigation before one could be able to deny or confirm such a statement. In the second method of treatment by medication I do not think that an absolute destruction of the spores takes place any more than in the starvation method. As I have shown before, 2 per cent, carbolic acid was not sufficiently strong to destroy the spores, consequently it is not likely that 0-2 per cent, (one pint in 500) would be strong enough. I tried o*2 per cent., but found it quite unsuccessful. Its action, then, must have another explanation. To test this I made up a sterilised beef broth containing one per 500 of carbolic acid, and in it placed my infected silk threads. I found that there was no indication of growth. These threads were then taken out and placed in ordinary sterilised beef broth, and I obtained a luxuriant growth — i.e., the o'2 per cent, carbolic acid in the culture fluid, although it did not destroy the spores, prevented their germination. That, then, is the explanation of the value of carbolated syrup in the treatment of foul brood, it prevents the germination of the spores. The bee journals contain numerous examples of cases where carbolated syrup produced an improvement, but as soon as it was stopped there was a relapse. It is evident that here, again, as in the starvation process, there must be combined an extremely thorough cleaning up, so that the best possible results may be obtained from the treatment. Medicated syrup does not destroy the spores; it simply prevents their development, and gives the bees a chance to rid themselves of the infection, and in that respect I certainly think resembles the starvation process. Its advantage over that is that it can be carried on for a longer time. In the course of these experiments I tried another substance which has been much used since Lortet's work on the subject— viz., ■ Naphthol Beta, I do not think myself, from.

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recent work on this substance, that Naphthol Beta should be ranked very high as an antiseptic, mainly on account of its insolubility in water. I found, however, that a beef broth containing one per 1000 Naphthol Beta would not allow spores of Bacillus alvei to germinate, and consequently had an equal value with one per 500 of carbolic acid. It has an advantage over carbolic acid on account of the disagreeable taste of the latter, and I think would be more acceptable to the bees. Salicylic acid in Byrup has apparently the same effect, and I would not recommend the addition of borax, as it has been shown that borax lowers considerably the antiseptic value of salicylic acid. I tested also formic acid in the same way, but my results so far have not been satisfactory, owing to the uncertain strength of my aample of formic, acid. I prefer to reserve a report upon it and other substances which I wish to try until later. Mercuric chloride I have not tested, as I do not think it wise to use it around the hive. The idea of using a one per 1000 solution to spray the diseased combs, as suggested sometimes, is, I think, absurd, and would be a rather serious operation for any living brood. (lo be continued.)

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' CONFERENCE. The annual meeting of the Dunedin and Suburban School Committees' Conference was held in the Normal School on Friday evening. Mr A. Sligo presided, and there were also present : Messrs J. White (Anderson's Bay), G. Calder and J. E. White (North-East Valley), G. Joachim (Mornington), M. Barnett (Albany street), W. F. Browne and J. Parker (George street), A. Sligo and R. Mason (Arthur street), J. H. Hosking and H. Mercer (High street), R. Rutherford and T. K. Sidey (Caversham), G. Moir and W. A. Stout (Kaikorai), R. Fisher (St. Leonards). ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report as follows was submitted to the meeting ; the balance sheet haviDg been previously adopted nem. dis. Your executive have to report that nothing of unusual interest occurred during the year to engage their attention. The question of the proper institution or observance of Arbor Day was referred to the executive, but as the Government proclaimed a public holiday on the 4th of August^ for the observance of this very important function, and as the matter was taken up most heartily by all the city and suburban school committees, as well as by many country committees, there was little for your executive to do. They wish to put on record, however, the very enthusiastic way in which the celebration of the first Arbor Day was entered on, and trust that like enthusiasm will characterise the event in succeeding years. Considering the want of experience of the community in regard to this institution, and the short time the various schools had to prepare, there is little room for dissatisfaction with the display made by the assembled schools in the Triangle at the close of the day's proceedings. Pursuant to a resolution passed at last meeting of the conference, the secretary wrote to the Minister for Education regarding an alteration in the mode of voting for the members of the Education Board, suggesting that all the committees should record their votes on the same day. He received a formal reply that the matter would be taken into consideration. The mode of electing members to the board is in a very unsatisfactory and anomalous condition, and the conference would deserve the thanks of the community it the result of any action of theirs was a feasible and satisfactory echeme of election. The executive desire to bring this matter prominently before the conference. At a meeting of the executive, held last July, they took into consideration a clause inserted in the Electoral Bill providing that all candidates for election to the House of Representatives should have the free use of buildings for holding meetings. Your executive directed the secretary to write to the city and suburban members of Parliament protesting against the school buildings being used for such a purpose except where no other building was available, and then only upon payment of the cost of cleaning. The secretary wrote accordingly, and your executive are glad to report that the Premier agreed to modify the objectionable clause in the direction desired by them. The executive are much indebted to Mr W. Hutchison, M.H.R., for his promptitude in this matter. The matter of the appointment of a truant inspector was referred to in commendatory terms in last year's report. Your executive have much pleasure in certifying to the good result so far accomplished by the inspector (Mr Aitken), and the great tact and diligence with which he carries out the onerous duties entrusted to him. They trust that the Education Board will see their way to continue the services of Mr Aitken. In the year 1859 the subject of school holidays engaged the attention of the conference, and then it was resolved, after mature consideration, to recommend the schools represented at the conference to observe the following holidays — viz. : Five clear weeks at midsummer, one week at midwinter, Anniversary Day, Good Friday, Queen's Birthday, Prince of Wales's Birthday, St. Andrew's Day, and the second afternoon of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's show. These holidays have not been observed with all the unanimity that might have been desired, and the conference might this year take into consideration whether any further action should be taken on the subject. In this connection the matter of closing the schools on Cup Day will, we hope, receive the earnest consideration of the conference. Apart from fehe impropriety generally acknowledged of recognising race days by making them the pretext for holidays, it ia well known that many, indeed most, teachers are averse to holidays so soon after the supmer vacation, as such occasional holidays seriously interfere with the school work. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said : Ido not feel it necessary to enlarge to any extent on the topics dealt with therein, preferring to leave any of these topics to be dealt with by the meeting as you, gentlemen, may see fit, although I am willing to express my views— should I deem it desirable to do so— on any point or topic in tho report that may be raised for discussion hereafter. There are just two matters mentioned in the report to which I may allude. The first is in respect to the method of election for members of the Education Board. I think it is a distinct disadvantage to string out the election over so long a period as is how the case. I believe we are pretty well agreed on that head. I feel sure it would tend to purity of election and to a more independent and unbiassed expression of opinion by the committees if the election were to be determined on one stated day, or, in case that should be considered an inconvenience in the case of committees in the country, that committees be called on to record their vote within a limit of a few days. I think, however, the matter, is of sufficient importance to

call for and justify the demand for the vote being taken on some one fixed day even atthe risk of any little inconvenience which might possibly be caused. The other matter is in reference to the voting power of committees for members of the education boards. Here again I think we are all very much of one mind in believing that there should be some relative connection between the numerical strength on a school register and the voting power to be exercised by its committee in electing members of the education boards. I would not, in my present frame of mind, be desirous of asking for exact proportional representation, but I think that school committees of five members might have one degree of voting power, school committees of seven members an increased voting power, and school committees of nine a still further increase of voting j power — say, one vote for a school committee of five members, two votes for a school committee of seven, and three votes for a school having a committee of nine membera. I observe, however, that our friend Mr Rutherford purposes raising this question of committee representation, so I shall forbear saying anything further on the subject. I venture to express the hope that in view of the epidemic of measles which has raged and is still raging in the schools of this and other board districts, the Government will see its way to deal with boards which have this disadvantage to conetnd with on the basis of the attendance for the quarter previous to the outbreak, and that the boards will be able to treat the committees on that basis. You know what a terrible business it is for school committees to get along financially without constant effort to raise money in some extraneous manner. . Concerts, bazaars, subscription lists, and Bhows of some kind are in constant demand, and have become a perfect weariness to the flesh for many members of school committees. Personally, I have to acknowledge a strong craving for legislative authority being given to school committees to collect a very small and strictly limited fee from school children, exempting parents who could not afford to give even the little trifle that would be required. I would rather see this system introduced than continue the constant begging and dunning which goes on. If in a school of 500 children 300 of them paid Id per week the school committee would be relieved of all financial trouble, so far at least as absolute necessaries are concerned. Just a word or two in respect to the nomination and election of school committees; and here I may premise that I will probably differ with some of my friends, members of this conference. Whatever theoretical objections there may be to the system of nomination now existent under the act, I have to acknowledge that I have failed to see much fault with the system in its practical working. So far as the nomination is concerned, I certainly would not, with my present light, seek to disturb the existing system. As to the election of school committees, I admit the theoretical objections to the present system are stronger than they are in respect to the nominations, but, gentlemen, the thing works out much better in practice than the theory would lead one to expect. I suppose it will be admitted that the important point is to secure as good and satisfactory a school committee as possible. I have to admit that I have come to doubt whether the compilation of expensive rolls and the inauguration of all the paraphernalia of an elaborate ballot would be likely to really secure better results in the appointment of a more superior race of school committeemen. One is fairly entitled to assume that the men and women who attend meetings for the purpose of electing school committees or of being candidates for election have some real and abiding interest in the matter, and that this is more distinctly the case since the abolition of the cumulative vote. If lam right in my conclusions, and I think I am, one may well doubt whether the bringing of school committee elections into line with municipal and parliamentary elections with all their paraphernalia of form and method, of trouble and s t r if e _even in a modified degree— would really be of service in the cause of general education, and beneficial to the management of our schools. Most certainly if anything like an approach were to be made to the conditions to which I have alluded you would at once close the door against many desirable candidates for the position of school committeemen. As to personation or voting without qualification, I think there is very little of that kind of thing now, whatever may have been in the past. If any does occur it must be in very isolated case?, which can scarcely affect results, and occurring from misapprehension rather than wrong intent. While I am sure the general public take great j interest in the cause of common school education, and we would all bo pleased to see that interest broadened and deepened, I trust that will not come about through the introduction of such party feeling as we sco developed in connection with other elections, and therefore I am disposed to look with some suspicion on proposals for close copying of even the forms of those other elections. I move the adoption of the report. Mr Fisher seconded the motion. The report was adopted unanimously. ASSOCIATE MEMBER. The Chairman said that at the last meeting it was mentioned that one who had done a great deal for the conference and in connection with the cause of education generally did not hold any official position in any committee. The wish was then expressed that that gentleman should be appointed by the conference itself as' one of its members. He referred to Mr M. Cohen — (applause) — and he need scarcely say how popular such an appointment would be. He had therefore much pleasure in moving that Mr M. Cohen be associated with the conference. The motion having been seconded, was carried unanimously. _ , Mr Cohen, in returning thanks, said that the compliment paid him was one that he valued very highly. So long as his health permitted he had taken an active part in the proceedings of the conference, and so long as there was need to keep a watchful eye over the system as it now existed he would like to be in touch with the conference, so as to try to preserve and maintain the existing order of things educationally. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were appointed : — Chairman, Mr A. Sligo (re-elected) ; secretary, Mr W. A. Stout (re-elected) ; committee — Messrs J. H. Hosking, J. White, and J. E. White. EDUCATIONAL QUESTIONS. Mr M. Coiien read a paper dealing with a number of educational questions. Ho suggested the postponement of the midwinter examinations in echools that had been closed in consequence of the epidemic of measles. He also brought before the meeting, ab the request of a gentleman residing in Oamaru, a proposal that members of school committees should individually vote by ballot for the election of members of the Education Board. Another question dealt with was tbe Training School. Mr Cohen thought that this work should be done in connection with the work of the university under a chair of pedagogy, and that the Normal School should become an ordinary district school, or the pupils be distributed, among the other schoola, Ifc

was also suggested in the paper that in all large centres, what were called central schools should be established for Sixth and Seventh Standard pupils. Mr Rutherford also contributed a paper advocating that the Otago district should be divided into nine equal districts, the committees in each of which should elect one member to the Education Board. Mr Hosking said that if the suggestions made were taken into consideration they might prolong the conference far beyond^ midnight, and then have to come to a decision without sufficient time for reflection. They had three schemes] propounded, and before making any suggestions should have time to decide upon their merits.

It was decided that the question of the system of election of members of the Education Board should be considered at the next meeting of the conference. On the motion of Mr R. Rutherford, seconded by Mr W. A. Stout, it was unanimously resolved — " That in view of the disadvantages entailed by the epidemic of measles, the board be urged to defer the usual examinations until about the month of September, and that the matter be brought before the board by a deputation of the executive." Mr Joachim moved— "That this conference is of opinion that schools should be kept open on Cup Day." After a brief discussion, tho resolution was carried without dissent. The meeting adjourned at 9.45 p.m.