Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-21
CITY AND DISTRICT.
A FISH STORY,
How a Little Brandy Revived n Carp
Wonderful Story vouched for OIL.
cially.

One of the late official bulletins of the q. 8.
Fish Commission contains the following fish
story, mainly derived, Ii is stated, from official
correspondence: IAN experiment by Mr.. c. w.
ecudder, of the United States Fish Commission,
In using brandy to recover carp nearly on the
point of expiration, which was described in
Bulletin Fish Commission, 1884. page 179, hav-
Ing come to the notice of Mr.. W. Oldham
Chambers, secretary of the National Fish Gull
ture Association, of London, the latter con-
Quoted similar experiment in the presence OF
several gentlemen at South Kensington, in
September. 1884, and has recorded the verif-
cation of Mr.. Scudder's work as follows:
Taking two Prussian carp from the tanks of
the aqarium, he deposited them in separate
dry cans, adjoining one with blue ribbon to
denote its enforced temperance principles and
TO distinguish ii from the other, which was Sc
lected for the administration of spirituous
liquors. After lapse of four hours the fish were
placed in water, evident signs of expiration
being apparent in both cases. small quantity
of brandy and water was then given to the carp
selected for the inhibition of intoxicating
liquors through the medium of a feather, and no
sooner was the fish replaced in water than it as
sumed its normal condition and seemed to be
restored to vigor and strength. The carp en-
listed under the banner OF the 'blue-ribbon
league TO all appearances died half an hour
after its more fortunate associate, and was taken
out of the water and thrown on the ground.
About four hours later, however, the fish was
picked up by Mr.. Chambers, who observed it by
appearance to be iH rigor morris He then at
once operated on the seemingly inanimate fish
BY opening its mouth and pouring dose of
inserting il in the water, when, to his utter as
constituent, he noticed slight signs of ANNA
OF the experiment ffOated helplessly on its side,
when presently, to the still greater astonish-
ment of the secretary and those who watched
the experiment, it gradually asserted itself in
the water and with considerable effort made
use OF its finsfeeby at first, but afterwards en-
erget1cally. Both the resuscitated fishes, which
show no signs of their late prostration, now
swim about with their confreres in the tanks as
usual.
The instantaneous termination produced to
the carp in the first instance was indeed remark
able but what can be said of the latter, which
recovered after remaining out of water for eight
hours? Surely this discovery will prove of the
greatest utility and value in restoring fish that
would otherwise perish, and be the means of
securing greater longevity amongst them.
Experiments in relation to brandy as means
of restoring suspended animation with quick
dying fish resulted equally as satisfactory. 1t
highly interesting TO see the piucky manner in
which a trout Is JerOT) battled with his fainting
condition and came out the conqueror. Strange
tempt TO rouse himself after being dosed, the
consequences being fatal to him; this was the
only fish that succumbed under the treatment.
The daee tLeuciscus r9el9orfs) was out of water
three times OF five minutes each. He was eX-
ceedingly faint and almost dead; but immedi-
etely after the brandy was given, .he pulled him.
self together and in the course of a few minutes
not only recovered, but darted round the can
with a rapidity positively amazing.
1t Is suggested that a judicous administra-
ton of brandy to dace prior to being used for
bait will not only restore an inanimate bait,
but also increase its strength and vigor, thus
proving of much service to the angling fra
ternity."
Mr.. Henry Lee after the facts regarding the
above experiments became known. published
statement that this mode of reviving carp
Practiced long ago by the Dutch and the recipe
for this treatment was probably of ancient
origin. The Dutch, he safd preserve carp by
suspending them from the roof of damp apart
ment In bag-net filed with moss, which is con-
unually kept moist. They are fed with vege-
tables and bread stepped in milk, mode of
treatment by which they are not only kept
alive, but actually thrive and fatten.