> American foulbrood [had] been considered incurable until relatively recent times. Many of our bee laws relating to the control of bee diseases are still based on this premise and thousands of infected colonies and their combs have been destroyed annually. Dr. Leonard Haseman of the University of Missouri published in 1945 the results of his tests in feeding sulfathiazole to colonies infected with Bacillus larvae, the cause of American foulbrood. He found not only that the development of the bacteria could be prevented but that the bees in an infected colony were stimulated in some way to eliminate an infection already present. 

> The response of honeybees to the stimulating effects of these treatments has changed the concept of American foulbrood from one of utter destruction to one that envisions its ultimate control without destroying valuable colonies or equipment. The most noteworthy contribution to the control of bee diseases has been the use of sulfathiazole, terramycin and other therapeutics in the food of bees in the spring and fall. By their use, at least one disease which had been considered as incurable for centuries can be prevented or controlled without the destruction of colonies or valuable equipment.

BEE DISEASES AS FACTORS IN THE LIFE AND BEHAVIOR OF THE HONEYBEE COLONY. Dr. J. E. ECKERT. 1955

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