AILMENTS AND DISEASES 



tives, however, are always beneficial and should be given in repeated small 

 doses, a cathartic of castor oil being preferable. Frequently dipping the 

 body and fins into dilute peroxide of hydrogen has proven to be an 

 effective remedy. Better aeration alone may effect a cure. 



Tailrot. This affection, which seems to be a sequel of a generally 

 congested condition, usually starts at the ends of the tail and fins. These 

 first assume a serrated and then a shredded appearance, the disease causing 



a decay and separation of the connective 

 tissue and the rays, so that they assume 

 a bristlelike appearance. Fig. 79. When 

 it reaches the base of the tail and the 

 spinal column it is usually fatal; but 

 prompt treatment will in most cases ar- 

 rest the ravages of the disease and 

 effect a cure. 



Treatment. The treatment for 

 White fungus and Fin congestion should 

 be first tried, and if found to be ineffect- 

 FiG. 79. Fins of a Gjdfish affected with Ta^^^^^^^ j^^^ ^j^^ affected tail and fins should be 



cut off beyond the diseased parts and 

 the fish subjected to a salt bath to prevent a further spread. A laxative 

 of epsom salt and a drop of castor oil as a cathartic are usually called for; 

 and treatment by dipping the affected parts into a solution of a tablespoon- 

 ful of Phenol-sodique in a gill of water, or a 50 per cent, solution of 

 peroxide of hydrogen; or into water in which bichloride of mercury has 

 been dissolved in the proportion of one tablet to the pint, have been re- 

 commended and tried with success, but great care must be taken in using 

 this latter remedy that it does not get on the gills. Good results have 

 also been produced by applications of Turlington's Balsam as before sug- 

 gested for Fungus, and of the Tincture of aloes and myrrh. Caustic mineral 

 acids, especially nitric acid have been used by experts with success. To 

 cauterize the affected parts; applications should be made with a skewer of 

 soft wood dipped into the acid. This remedy should be resorted to only 

 when the others have failed to effect a cure. 



Gill Congestion. This disease, also known as Asphyxia and "Sore 

 throat," occurs with fishes which have been subjected to sudden changes 

 of temperature of the water or to other exposures that may cause inflamma- 

 tion or congestion of the gills, such as removal from the house aquarium 

 to an out-of-door existence, undue exposure, improper water conditions or 

 similar causes that disarrange the respiratory organs, affect the functions 

 of the gills and debilitate the fish. Loss of appetite, emaciation and 



140 



