For the lesser ills, as a run-down condition, transfer the fish for a few days to shallow temporary quarters, such as an old washtub, with 2 to 3 inches of mud in the bottom. This is wonderfully invigorating. Put a few sprigs of oxygenating plants and a snail or two in the tub to make it more livable.

   For some reason which nobody can yet explain, run-down goldfish perk up amazingly when placed in a container fed by a drip or trickle of water. Ailing fish, apparently on the verge of breakdown with something serious, can often be brought back to perfect health in two or three days of this treatment. Kept there long enough, fish show appreciable increase in growth.

   The drip-fed container, incidentally, is a fine device for tapering down gradually any strong salt solution (given below) in which a fish has been placed.

   Sea water, 1 part to 5 parts of fresh water, makes the best salt solution. If this is unavailable, use rock salt, 2 heaping teaspoons to 1 gallon of water. Table salt can be used, in the same proportion, but use a pure brand that has no cornstarch or other inert matter added to prevent caking.

   Change the salt water daily during the treatment. A common procedure is to increase the strength of the solution daily, over a period of three to four days, until it is twice as strong as it was originally. After two days, or when the fish show improvement, begin weakening the solution and taper it down gradually to the original strength before returning the fish to pool or aquarium. Remove fish from the solution immediately if they show signs of exhaustion by rolling over. One treatment suffices for most ills.

   There is a quicker salt treatment used by some fanciers. They double the strength of the solution at the beginning-1 part of sea water to 21/2 of fresh water, or 4 heaping teaspoons of dry salt to 1 gallon. They put ailing fish into the strong solution for a minute or more, or until they appear exhausted. Such treatment does cure fish, but I don't think it cures them as thoroughly as the milder, longer treatment. The harsher treatment also involves the risk of killing the fish by shock.

   We treat whole ponds of goldfish with potassium permanganate, allowing 22 grains (by weight from the druggist) to 100 gallons of wa- ter. For a smaller volume of water, allow approximately 1/4 grain to 1 gallon. This is on the strong side, but when we treat huge ponds of fish, we take into consideration the great amount of algae and other plant growth on which the chemical will expend part of its strength.