Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/361

329&#93; FOX thrsr applications, together with keeping t'. • ■We con- ■ peril try pra&ice. POl NTDErtEI>, a disease in tl e feet, to which horses are subject. It is i 1 i by hard riding, se- rere 1 ib »ur, gi at heats, su colds, &c. thatinflame the bl and, as the jcpress it, the grease, which descends into flic feet; where it settles and causes such a numbness and pricking in the hoof, as in some instances to render the animal affected unable to -Kind. The general methods of remov- ing this disorder are, first, bleeding, which operation, if opportunely performed, is calculated to afford immediate relief. — The rapid and Irregular circulation of the blood is then to be diminished, by giving the horse cooling salts internally, clysters, an opening diet, and plen- ty of diluting liquor four or five times every day, together with emollient poultices; which ought to be applied warm round the hoofs, in order to soften them, and to promote a free and equal per- spiration. But the sole or frog of the foot affected, should on no pretence be pared to that excess, which is too frequently done by ignorant far- riers. Jt will be sufficient to clear away the hardened surface of the sole, that the poultice may pro- perly open the pores. All greasy and oily applications should like- wise be avoided, being ill calcu- lated to accelerate the cure. Fowl : See Poultry. Fowl-grass : See Roughish Meadow-grass. FOX, or Cants vulpes, L. an FOX i>9 animal of the canine rare, well known for his cunning, and the imits in farm- »ultryj and in war- Fo> i e but once a year, and the Otter generally consists of four or five, but seldom six or eight, and never less than three. The time of gestation is in the winter, and young cubs are found in the month of April. These, like dogs, are brought forth blind ; they continue to grow fifteen months or longer, and live to the age of four- ■ars. It is remarkable; that on its long hairy tail the fox has a small bunch of hair which emits an agreeable odour, not unlike that of viol< ts : this proceeds from a gland secret- ing a viscous humour, which is supposed to serve him as a balsam in healing wounds, or as a cordial. His woolly tail is dexterously em- ployed for catching lobsters from the hollows of brooks and rivulets, as well as for blinding his perse- cutors, the dogs, &x. when it is moistened with urine. Bat the greatest proof that bespeaks his wonderful ingenuity, is displayed by the manner he rids himself in summer of fleas, his most trouble- some enemies. He first seizes with his mouth a parcel of moss, then gradually, but with retrograde steps, immerses himself in water to the point of his mouth ; and, when these vermin have retreated to the moss, he suddenly drops his cargo. The fox is not easily, and never completely tamed: when deprived of liberty, he languishes ; and if kept too long in a domestic state, he dies of chagrin. His skin is furnished either with a white, grey, blueish, or black fur, which, on account