AILMENTS AND DISEASES 



not require a large receptacle, but it should be of large diameter in propor- 

 tion to its depth, or else the depth of water so regulated. The sides should 

 be screened or curtained when necessary to permit of rest for the patient. 



Breeders, dealers and others having a large number of fishes, should 

 have a hospital for fishes "out of condition"; but which is not used for 

 those in the active stages of contagious and parasitic diseases though it may 

 be used later for such patients when the danger of contagion has passed 

 and they are convalescing. From this receptacle they may later be trans- 

 ferred to the sanitarium and only returned to the aquarium when fully 

 recovered. 



At all times when a fish gives indications of being out of condition, 

 it is best to remove it from its companions for the following reasons; first, 

 it prevents the well and stronger fishes from annoying it, second, while the 

 illness may be only slight, it may also be a contagious affection; third, it 

 gives opportunity for the required treatment or for experimentation with 

 the view of a cure, which could not otherwise be undertaken. A sick fish 

 should have nourishing food oflfered to it, for if it will eat the chances of 

 recovery are greatly increased. 



Remedies. Beneficial remedies for the ills of fishes are but few, and 

 the medicaments of the aquariist should consist of the following: 



Common table salt and rock salt, frequently required. 



Phenol-sodique, frequently required. 



Peroxide of hydrogen, frequently required. 



Epsom and Glauber salts, as laxatives, frequently required. 



Castor oil, as a cathartic, occasionally required. 



Boracic acid solution. 



Saturated solution of Monsell's salt. 



Permanganate of potassium solution. 



Gypsum and plaster of paris. 



Coal on. 



Tincture of aloes and myrrh. 



Turlington's Balsam. 



Antigyrodactylin . 



Bichloride of mercury, as an anticeptic and parasiticide. 



Salicylate of soda, " " " " " 



Chlorate of potassium, " " " " " 



Formalin, " " " 



Note: A few drops of Monsell's salt, less than lo to the gallon, will clear turbid water, 

 due to the decomposition of chlorophyll, and 1 5 to zo drops to the gallon will destroy many 

 of the lower organisms. It is also fatal to the snails, which should be removed before it is used. 

 A few drops of a weak solution of permanganate of potassium in the aquarium will remove the 

 green color, when objectionable. 



133 



