38 HOME FISHING AND HOME WATERS. 



that where they can be taken by angling with hook 

 and line, such fish are safe to eat. 



When fish are affected by disease, they almost in- 

 variably die; not one in a hundred recovers; and 

 there is at present no known remedy which can be 

 said to be efficacious. 



The only effectual remedy which I have known, 

 is a common salt and water bath. I have used it 

 with good results in a few instances with trout. The 

 brine should be made strong enough to float a 

 potato. The sick fish is then placed in it and al- 

 lowed to remain until it turns over, which will 

 usually occur in a few minutes. It should then be 

 taken out immediately and placed in fresh water. 

 The fish should be immersed in this bath about twice 

 a day, and the operation be repeated about half a 

 dozen times. If this does not cure the fish, you may 

 give it up as a hopeless case. 



The disease most common with trout and I have 

 seen it with other fish as well makes its appearance 

 in the form of a white fungus growth. It may ap- 

 pear on any part of the body in whitish patches, but 

 spreads rapidly, and soon reaches the head and gills. 

 When it reaches the gills, or breathing apparatus of 

 the fish, the fungus apparently fastens them together, 

 and death is the result. The theory concerning this 

 disease is, that the fungus is a parasitic growth, and 

 the object of the salt and water bath is to kill the 

 parasite. If this is accomplished, the fish stands a 

 chance of recovering, provided it is taken in time. 



Concerning the health offish kept in confinement, 

 the same rules are applicable to them as to our- 

 selves. They must be plentifully supplied with 



