THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE, 135 
The appetite continues in good condition, the fish never- 
theless, become lean and weaker each succeeding day until 
death takes place. 
The cause of the disease, also, can be traced to improper 
methods of feeding, the stomach in consequence becoming 
overtaxed and the entire system disarranged. 
When it does appear, all the fishes are attacked at the 
same time; the aquarium then should be placed where it 
will be exposed to the sunlight, the temperature of the lo- 
cality being kept at about 70° F., and no food administered 
for about a month. Snails and tadpoles should not be omit- 
ted when stocking the hospital tank, as they are excellent 
scavengers, and by their presence will prevent a complication 
of diseases. 
The diseases described above constitute the main ones we 
have to expect, and, with the exception of dropsy and tuber- 
culosis, are easily managed, if the treatment is carried out 
properly. 
ACCIDENTS. 
According to the old saying, “accidents happen in the 
best regulated families,” so will they happen to goldfish. In 
most cases, nature, if left alone, will repair damages with sur- 
prising skill, though a little assistance often helps to secure 
a desirable result. Scales that have been knocked off will be 
replaced, just as a finger-nail is when bruised. 
Injured fins grow again, but the form afterwards does not 
always assume perfection. 
If an eye has been torn out, it will not necessarily kill 
the fish, as in most cases it heals kindly, and indeed might 
(for appearance sake) be replaced by an artificial substitute, 
such as are in use by the taxidermist. 
