Page 18 - Autumn 22

continued from page 15
Next Surjit Singh Makkar (India), in his inimicable style, described the results of a one year trial into the healing of wounds in birds using topical Calendula lotion and oral Arnica 30. They had been caused by various accidents, often encounters with cats. The remarkable results showed just how powerful simple homeopathy can be in such circumstances.
Our first Turkish presenter, Cagla Yaramis demonstrated the value of homeopathy in ‘behavioural’ disorders in jumping horses. Homeopathy treats such issues as emotional imbalances rather than ‘behavioural’ and Cagla reported marked changes in the emotional wellbeing of her patients. Ignatia and Gelsemium proved to be particularly commonly indicated.
After a welcome coffee break it was my turn to hold forth on the subject of methodologies in veterinary homeopathy. I chose this subject as I have become increasingly aware of a trend in homeopathy whereby we tend to stress the unusual remedies or interesting methodologies when we have a presentation to make. This provides an interesting time for the participants but at the same time I feel it creates an unbalanced view of homeopathic practice and can lead to neglect of the other more fundamental uses. My subtitle was ‘Tinctures to Ramakrishnan’ but I realised that ‘A celebration of veterinary homeopathy’ would have been more appropriate. Nevertheless I managed to squeeze in 14 separate methodologies, each with a brief case history as an example, not forgetting to include the bowel nosodes. All of them I see as part of the ‘toolbox’ of the experienced veterinary homeopath and the flexibility they confer as a major strength of our art.
Furthermore, I was disappointed by the narrow mindedness of some of the speakers in the main sessions of the Congress, who attacked what they saw as ‘non- classical’ approaches to homeopathy, using vocabulary
which was unprofessional to say least. I would have been happy to justify the range of methodologies I discussed, but as it was I am just grateful that as a profession, veterinary homeopathy is all but free from such prejudices.
I was followed by Banu Kantarcioglu who described the treatment of Turkish dogs and cats with epilepsy. The condition can be quite difficult to treat, especially after conventional treatment, but Banu described some excellent cases where homeopathy had proved life saving. Helene Widmann (Austria) followed on, showing how powerful homeopathy can be in the treatment of PTSD ( Post traumatic stress disorder). Helen specialises in exotic animals and while her presentation also included cats, she finished with a truly memorable history of a chameleon whose dullness and inappetance after a traumatic event were accompanied by a distinct loss of colour. The response to Aconite was profound and I don’t think any of us will ever forget the picture of a content looking, bright green patient with what can only be described as a look of deep contentment.
The next speaker presented two interesting patients who responded to Galeocerdo Cuivier Hepar (Shark’s liver).
Marcela Muñoz (Colombia) has become a regular presenter at IAVH events, having organised the last one in Bogota, and being instrumental in organising the next LMHI Congress in Colombia in 2023. This time she presented a series of cases of hypothyroidism in dogs. While some cases were treated constitutionally, significant responses were seen to Thyroidinum, sometimes in very high potency. This was a fascinating presentation which left me pondering on the merits of the different approaches.
Our final speaker was a newcomer to IAVH, Ana Caterina Viana Vale (Brazil) who made two presentations, one on
the treatment of an anal fistula in a dog, and the other on the treatment of a dog with uroliths. Both patients responded well, the latter showing a most impressive dissolution of kidney and bladder stones confirmed by radiography. However the common theme of the presentations was the use of multiple remedies, mainly by injection. Ana promoted this methodology as being superior to other more traditional approaches, and this initiated some discussion among the audience. I look forward to seeing more on this in the future
As might be expected I think I can safely say that we all finished a long morning ready for a rest, to prepare for an evening together at a restaurant. Once again Banu and her husband Erkon came to the fore, arranging dinner at an old restaurant, a regular visitor to which was Attaturk himself, the first President of independent Turkey. Indeed the restaurant has a small table decorated with Turkish flags, and one which bears his image. The sign on the table says ‘Table reserved For ever’. The traditional Turkish food was delicious and we were entertained by a traditional band. A fitting end to a hugely enjoyable and educative day.
This marked the end of my direct participation in the Congress, but the rest of my time there I listened to several medical presentations. I met many interesting people, some of whom were vets, from Turkey and from other countries around the world. It was truly inspiring at last to be surrounded by inhabitants of our homeopathic world, and experience the energy of a large group of people gathered together in one place for the exchange of information, energy and friendship.
My thanks to Scottish Homeopathic Research and Education Trust and Banu for helping to make my attendance possible.
Peter Gregory
16