CARE OF GOLDFISH 281 



Goldfish are also liable to tumour of the in- 

 lestine, to several gill-troubles and other aU- 

 ments, one of the worst of which is the infec- 

 tious tail-disease. "When a fish is infected by 

 taU-disease or tail-rot, it must be taken from 

 the tank at once and put by itself, and it should 

 not be put in the regular hospital tank, but in 

 a separate vessel, so that its disease germs will 

 not infect other fish. First, however, dip the 

 diseased tail in coal oil or turpentine, and then 

 in phenol sodique. This should be done at least 

 once daily. This treatment ought in a few days 

 destroy the germs which rotted the tail. Then 

 with a pair of scissors cut away the parts which 

 were affected, being careful not to cut into the 

 healthy parts, as this would injure the fish 

 and perhaps cause an attack of fungus or a 

 renewal of the tail-rot. Later, when the fish 

 recovers, the tail wiU again grow. 



If the goldfish be wounded, it should be given 

 a light salt bath and the wound touched witE 

 some lotion like Turlington's Balsam, a sub- 

 stance something like artificial skin, A solu- 

 tion of five drops of carbolic acid in a gallon 

 of water is often efficacious for wounds in fishes, 



