The fox as physician has a long history in ancient and medieval fables. The fourteenth-century manuscript known as the Smithfield Decretals (the Decretals–or papal decrees–of Gregory IX with the gloss of Bernard of Parma; British Library MS Royal MS 10. E. IV), contains extensive decoration in its borders, including scenes from animal fables (see Kenneth Varty, Reynard, Renart, Reinaert and Other Foxes in Medieval England: the Iconographic Evidence …, Amsterdam University Press, 1999, pp. 184-188). Images include those reproduced below of a fox physician tending a sick wolf and a sick lion.

Detail of a fox taking the pulse of a reclining wolf with a bandaged head.

Smithfield Decretals, c.1300-c.1340. British Library, MS Royal 10. E. IV, fol. 54r.

Detail of a fox offering the contents of a pouch to a sick lion.

Smithfield Decretals, c.1300-c.1340. British Library, MS Royal 10. E. IV, fol. 56r.

Detail of a fox holding a vial of urine before a sick wolf.

Smithfield Decretals, c.1300-c.1340. British Library, MS Royal 10. E. IV, fol. 158v.