
AILMENTS AND DISEASES 

unnatural surroundings and the too concentrated forms of food, which 
bring about disorders of the digestive organs causing constipation. This 
may be detected by the appearance of the excrement, which in good health 
and with natural food is of a uniform brown or black color. In confinement 
the excrement is largely influenced by the nature of the food; but it should 
be of uniform color and usually pendant for quite a considerable length. 
When its appearance is other than usual the fish may be either overfed or 
constipated. The latter is usually the case when the excrement is of vary- 
ing color, white, brown and black in sections or otherwise abnormal. In 
overfeeding the excrement is always white. 
TREATMENT. A laxative is occasionally necessary, for which purpose 
table salt, epsom and glauber salts and earthworms are to be recommended. 
Many of the prepared foods contain these salts, but a little added to the water 
from time to time is beneficial; the fishes take it greedily, as they have the 
same craving for saline substances as other animals. Epsom salt is a mild 
laxative and will prevent constipation and the concomitant evils produced 
thereby. A  fair-sized pinch should be dropped into the water every week 
or fortnight, alternating with table or rock salt, to insure a proper and healthy 
digestion. Aquarium water is also often deficient in mineral salts from 
absorption by the plant life and the salts so added are beneficial correctives. 
If a fish is excessively constipated, as may happen, a drop of castor oil 
placed well down the throat is generally effective, and at all times is harm- 
less to the fish. A second dose may have to be given. Fresh earthworms 
are also an efficient laxative for aquarium fishes. What may appear to be 
inflammation of the swimming bladder may only be constipation, for which 
reason it is always well to apply these remedies in doubtful cases. 
Fin Concestion. The fins of goldfishes, especially the tail, often 
become red and congested, which is manifested by inflamed and bloody 
streaks, lines or spots which cannot be mistaken for the arteries and 
capillaries. This may be produced by constant excitement, impure water, 
insufficient aeration, overfeeding, partial suffocation, bladder trouble, the 
dragging of the tail over the bottom, or from other not readily recognized 
causes. 
Treatment. A successful remedy is to place the fish in water in 
which sufficient table salt has been dissolved to give to it a brakish taste, 
feeding sparingly or not at all for a few days, together with isolation in a 
subdued light and complete rest. Some fanciers treat the fish by frequently 
dipping the affected parts in a strong salt solution, though this should be 
done with discretion as it may have the effect of further irritating the already 
congested membranes. The author does not recommend these harsher 
methods and gives them only because they are often resorted to. Laxa- 
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