Camilla Swift Camilla Swift

Tales of Mr Tod

Roald Dahl helped rehabilitate the fox in the popular imagination, according to Lucy Jones — but most of us remain wary

issue 11 June 2016

Have you ever considered tying a fox’s penis to your head? Well no, nor have I, but if you suffer from migraines, perhaps you might give it a shot. The fox, in fact, was thought to be a cure for any number of maladies in the 1600s. Fox ashes dunked in wine were recommended as a cure for asthma, their brains were thought to be useful in treating epilepsy, and making a necklace of fox testicles for a child was billed as a surefire cure for toothache.

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