44 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 
other, the gall bladder was abnormally distended. Most of them showed 
some redness of the alimentary tract. I am of opinion that death was 
due to some food poisons—ptomaine. In one animal that died there 
was a jelly-like fluid between the pelt and the flesh of the hind legs. 
“When pups are shedding their milk teeth—usually at the age of 
three months—abscesses are liable to form at the roots of the tusks. 
The fox then swells around the snout. In such cases the tusks, which 
are quite loose, should be extracted. Give them large bones to gnaw so 
they can knock out these teeth. This will usually prevent the formation 
of these abscesses. 
“Fleas and Moths.—Dip the fox in weak solution of creolin in 
order to rid him of these pests. 
“Fox Surgery.—I have had more to do with foxes in a surgical 
than in a medical way. They frequently break their limbs in fighting 
among themselves or in an effort to escape by climbing their enclosures. 
These fractures are usually compound and necessitate the amputation of 
the limb. The flesh is stripped back and the protruding bone is snipped 
off with bone forceps. The wound is dressed antiseptically and the flesh 
is stitched over the bone. The whole part is well dusted with iodoform, 
and wrapped in gauze bound on with surgeon’s adhesive plaster. The 
fox will not touch the dressing when dusted with iodoform. The oper- 
ation is simple, no anesthetic is needed and there is no danger from 
bleeding, because, as a rule, no arteries have to be tied. In fact, it is 
dangerous to give an anesthetic. 
“When the fracture is not compound, the limb may be set in splints 
of any light wood; maple saplings make good splints. Bind the splint 
on with adhesive plaster and with rabbit wire; the fur makes sufficient 
padding for it. Dust with iodoform to keep the fox from tearing the 
splint off. In winter, care must be taken that the leg does not freeze. 
“Judicious feeding can only be learned by experience. Grass and 
other green food and fresh earth should be placed in the enclosures at 
frequent intervals, as the animals require something of that nature to 
keep them healthy. Their kennels should be kept as clean as possible 
and should be washed out once or twice a year with a hot solution of 
creolin, two drams to the pint. One breeder dips all his foxes, after 
the pups are weaned, in a weak solution of creolin to rid them of fleas 
and other vermin. 
“Tn general, it is far better to take good hygienic precautions before 
the foxes get sick, than to invite disease by having them live in filth in 
small enclosures.’’ 
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