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The minutes of the AGM will be available to all members. The prizes awarded at the AGM were:
VetriScience Cup – Presented for Services to the Association. Chris Aukland has brought homeopathy to a much wider farming audience. The criteria was widened to services to homeopathy, as the work he does has a wide significance and importance to homeopathy, beyond veterinary homeopathy alone, through HAWL and Whole Health Agriculture.
Churchill Cup – Presented for contributions to the Mag. Edward de Beukelaer contributes so much excellent content to the Magazine. However, Edward does not want to win this for another year running!
Jack Hoare Tankard – Presented in Jack’s memory for best student / casebook or contribution to vet education. Geoff Johnson has contributed so much to vet education over the years with his abilities and enthusiasm.
Tim Couzens opened our Sunday session with Epilepsy, a condition challenging to all involved. Tim has had most success treating epilepsy with a pathologic approach, rather than a constitutional approach. It is important for the vet to observe all differences, even tiny ones, in the characteristics of the seizures and in the peri-ictal period in order to differentiate between homeopathic medicine choices and prescribe appropriately. Video of the animal is incredibly helpful in prescribing, as Tim illustrated with several case videos. Tim discussed (by group) the keynotes of the homeopathic medicines often used for epilepsy: Oenanthe & Cicuta; Belladonna, Stramonium, Hyoscyamus, Strychninum, & Ignatia; Cina; Agaricus; Bufo, Tarentula, & Mygale; Lyssin & Distemperinum; Cuprum, Zinc, & Plumbum. Tim notes that 50% of epileptics are helped by Ignatia, so if nothing else makes
sense, that is worth a try. Other medicines that attendees had found helpful were Absinthum, Proteus, Arnica, Nat- sulph, Silicea, Causticum, Luna, Calc-c, and Bellis. Less than 1% of the population is affected by epilepsy, yet it is certainly one of the most frightening conditions for our clients.
Chris Day related to us his experiences and insights into the three main branches of interventional medicine: Homeopathy v Herbs v Pharmaceuticals. Chris’s vet parents inspired his love of medicine, and his mum used homeopathy in practice. Chris was largely self taught in homeopathy by studying Boericke, and used it in his first job. When he later rejoined his parents’ practice, he continued using homeopathy, herbal medicine, and management to help his patients. Chris contrasted the use of homeopathy and herbal medicines with the pharmaceutical explosion. There is a certain innate use of herbs in animals (and likely in humans), and at times the uses of herbal medicines are similar to their homeopathic and even pharmaceutical counterparts. Problems arise because pharmaceuticals can be patented, and this led to an explosion of pharmaceuticals from petrochemicals. In a self-serving turn of events, the 1910 Flexner Report, under the aegis of the Carnegie Foundation, established a plan to denigrate holistic modalities and supplant them with the biomedical pharmaceutical driven model. (There is a lot more about this in the public domain, as it resulted in the closure of about half of the US medical schools due to lack of funding from pharmaceutical companies.) As homeopaths, it behooves us to be aware of our history, and challenges to homeopathy.
Mark Elliott discussed the possible role that Fossils as Homeopathic Medicines may play in practice. Might oil based (fossil) homeopathic medicines help some of our
‘stuck’ patients? Petrochemical residues and hormones in water, and EMF stresses are major stressors today. Mark referenced homeopath Martine Mercy’s books on fossils as homeopathic medicines. Mark illustrated the use of fossil remedies in a Dachshund with disc disease who was helped by other homeopathic medicines to some extent, yet only had a profound improvement in function and comfort after treatment with homeopathic medicines from two fossils: Ophiopinna elegans followed by Agglestone fossil.
Joanna Evans presented the case of Kitti, a 20 year old Shetland with Cushings and recurrent episodes of severe laminitis. The owner, a homeopath, was already using Quercus / ACTH and Carduus, and had tried multiple homeopathic medicines. The pony was terribly painful during the episodes, and euthanasia was considered. (No pressure, Jo..) Essential points considered were her history of a traumatic mating and foaling, modality of worse ‘menses’, muscle stiffness that looked like tying up, depression when ill as if she will never recover. Jo chose Cimicifuga, and the pony has been well for two years with occasional repetitions of Cimicifuga.
Chris Aukland presented the case of Jessie, a 12 year old JRT with a history of liver issues associated with Leptospirosis, and 42 pages of medical history. Aaargh! Chris uses holistic triage, determining which aspects are Red – require immediate attention, Amber – holistic interventions, and Green – husbandry and management review. As Lepto is zoonotic, that Red aspect was discussed, and lab follow up was continued with the local vet. The Amber interventions were symptomatic herbal and homeopathic medicines. Case taking, per Marjorie Blackie, requires three quick questions and a shrewd glance. The shrewd glance revealed a dog who was lively,
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