Page 15 - Spring 21

Humility Humanity Homoeopathy – George Macleod DVSM VetFFHom (1912-1995) by Ann Wood, UK
Introduction to the writing of this article
In 2013, ten years after I began my veterinary homoeopathy training, I finally took and obtained a pass in the MFHom examinations. That, according to an unwritten law of BAHVS, meant that I was obliged to give a presentation at our conference a couple of months later that same year.
During the preparation for my examination, I had been listening to tape recordings (does anyone remember what they were?) of a set of early lectures given by George MacLeod. His clear and calm intonation helped settle my anxiety about the task ahead, besides being very effective delivery of those pearls of wisdom. His reassuring experience, encouragement and knowledge shone through in those recordings; as he spoke, took questions, discussed and gave answers with all the earnest authority, and yet humility, which was so much the mark of the man.
It was to my regret that I had never met or knew George. At the end of my presentation, however, several more fortunate delegates were able to offer their anecdotes and descriptions of encounters and experiences with him. My only contribution was from a conversation I had with a former client in Scotland who had not been best pleased with George and his approach, as he seemed reluctant to handle the farm animals. George says on the tapes that he endeavoured to avoid stressing the animals, especially sheep, by unnecessary handling, as he saw it. The farmer, though, wondered if George might be frightened of them,
or “just a bit too compassionate”!
I trust that reading this article will jog some (hopefully) good memories of the conference session and those impromptu exchanges for which I was most grateful and which we all seemed to enjoy so much. It was a fitting time for reminiscence, after lunch on the last day!
Progression in practice
George’s interest in homoeopathy possibly came from family use. Several MacLeods are recorded as doctors, some using homoeopathy in the mid to late1850s; leading to an expulsion from the Edinburgh Medico Chirugical Society.
He studied with John da Monte’s group; and knew Thomas Maughn and Donald MacDonald Foubister. These people studied druidism, and they used radionics and Psionic Medicine; colour and psychotherapy apart from straight homoeopathy. George helped maintain and support homeopathic practice throughout the 1950s and 1960s, then was involved with formation of the Society of Homoeopaths in 1970;
the Lay practitioners’ response to the 1968 Medicines Act. He was familiar with the work of Edward Bach and favoured the flower essences for animal treatment. His friend- ship with John Ainsworth led to a long term relationship between the veterinary profession and Ainsworth’s pharmacy.
Meanwhile, here’s a toast to George:
“Here’s tae us. Wha’s like us?
Damn few, and they’re a’ deid.” (thankfully not quite the case just yet!)
Early Years
Ann Wood
Though the MacLeod family originated from the Hebrides, George grew up in Glasgow; a good football player and ardent Glasgow Rangers supporter. He spent some of the1930s in Rogart, Sutherland ; then studied Veterinary Medicine at Glasgow University, graduating as DVM in 1939 (later changed to DVSM). Being in a reserved occupation for the national agriculture effort; George was not called for Military Service but he was involved in the Foot and Mouth outbreak in Somerset in 1942. Soon afterwards, he married and returned to the Dornoch Firth area of Scotland to begin practice.
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