30 BULLETIN 13-50, U. S. DEPABTMEXT OF AGBICULTUBE 
Treatment of disease. — Taking measures looking toward sanitation 
and the prevention of disease are functions of the fox farmer. 
Treating disease, however, calls for a veterinarian, and the diagnosis 
of disease and the administration of drugs are the province of ex- 
perts. A fox farmer's general knowledge of diseases and the appli- 
cation of remedies is naturally limited. Blue foxes are difficult to 
treat, and in administering remedies it is necessary to employ strat- 
egy. Mature foxes usually can not be treated successfully except by 
catching and then restraining them with either wooden or metal 
tongs, such as are advertised extensively in fur-farming magazines 
(see fig. 25). Sometimes the fox can be induced to eat tasteless 
medicine placed in food. 
When fox pups start to look for food they sometimes eat to 
excess, and the resulting indigestion is indicated by cramps or colic. 
A fox showing such symptoms should be captured and given 1 or 2 
teaspoonfuls of castor oil. If the animal is cold or has been wet it 
should be kept warm and confined in a box: if it is bloated or 
swollen. Epsom salt should be administered, one-half teaspoonful 
in 2 tablespoonfuls of hot water. Xo food should be given but hot 
milk or hot beef tea. Bough handling should be avoided, and time 
enough should be allowed for the frightened puppy properly to 
swallow liquids. A fatal pneumonia is apt to be caused by pouring 
more liquid into the mouth than can be swallowed. 
Foot disease is a pus infection. It is first localized in the sweat 
glands between the toes and then spreads into the lymph channels 
and the blood-stream, causing a lymphangitis with extreme swelling 
of the foot. A number of cases have developed into gangrene of the 
foot bones as well as multiple abscesses along the back and tail. One 
case revealed on post mortem an acute abscess of the dorsal gland 
of the tail, with other clinical symptoms of pyemia. The so-called 
foot disease may be communicable, but the general indications are 
that it is not. The causes of foot disease are not definitely known, 
but extreme moisture, insanitary dens and surroundings, or faulty 
feeding may be causative factors. Affected parts of blue foxes hav- 
ing foot disease are being examined by specialists of the Bureau of 
Animal Industry, and the findings will be made known as soon as 
definite information is obtained. 
Wounds. — The lameness sometimes noted in young foxes found on 
the shore is generally due to wounds from stepping on sea urchins, 
one of their favorite foods. The spines of sea urchins are very 
sharp and sometimes will penetrate the sole of a shoe. 
Slight wound- of the skin from bites and laceration- from other 
foxes readily heal because of the dust-free air and licking by the 
animals, but large wounds should be treated. If the wound has 
hanging flaps, cut them off. Bemove all hair. grit, and pus from the 
sore, and then flush it with peroxide of hydrogen. After the wound 
has been properly cleansed, apply boric acid I parts and alum 1 part. 
Cannibalism.— Cannibalism among foxes is not normal. Some 
authorities believe that it is purely a mental disorder, though it may 
be further increased by the taste of blood. There seems also to be 
an instinct among wild animals to kill sick mates. The vixen's 
desire to destroy her. young may result from any of a number of 
