Page 16 - Spring 21

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In his local crofting environment, George used nosodes for many farm animal problems, especially to protect young animals; and employed other homoeopathic remedies for a range of species; treating animals from over large areas of the country, particularly after the adjacent practice closed. He also conducted many farm trials in Scotland and after moving to England. In the late 1960’s George moved to a practice in Herefordshire, then early in the 1970’s, to West Sussex.
Later that decade, George set up his own practice in Haywards Heath; using homoeopathy exclusively. His ability became legendary; his telephone advice to clients and veterinary colleagues was greatly valued; and he even gave advice remotely at times, out of necessity (who would have thought!).
Whilst here, ongoing research and continual desire for knowledge led George to develop more nosodes including many for poultry; and recording of numerous observations and treatment trials. His approach harkened back to gentler more patient and careful times; leaving the hay to dry properly; using horses for ploughing etc; also he bemoaned the many cross-breeding activities in sheep and cattle and the introduction of dairy meat into the “beef” trade. George expressed, even then,
concern about the increasing use of antibiotics causing more fungal disease.
Homoeopathy: Principles and Precepts
George laid great store by the words on his veterinary degree certificate: “Qualified to practice the art and science of veterinary medicine”
It was his opinion that there was currently too much concentration on science, whereas Homoeopathy demonstrated the “supreme importance of the art”.
Whilst, therefore, not ignoring art and philosophy, George still had very sound knowledge of the science; of structure and function and underlying clinical problems.
He could explain both aspects in clearly thought out, logical terms, giving that air of authority drawn from years of experience and fundamentally compassionate approach to all cases.
He describes the 3 methods of treatment:
1. Antipathic or palliative, applying the contrarium principle
2. Substitution: supplying the body’s own substances e.g. hormones; a “half-way house” intervention
3. Curative and preventative by similarity principle: Homoeopathy
George also accepted the idea (from Carl Durham) of three effects of treatment:
1. Chemical (action on tissues)
2. Mechanical (attempts to expel)
3. Mynamic (relation of drug effects to physiology of the animal).
In Veterinary Homoeopathy, he felt the need to give more consideration to the pathology including characteristics and reaction of the patient to the disease, besides the symptoms pertaining to the disease itself. The animal’s
reaction to acute disease gives the best remedy match; in chronic or artificial disease, however, there are generally few individual symptoms.
George considered 3 classes of symptom:
1. thosepertainingtothedisease
2. those pertaining to the animal
3. those pertaining to the supernatural or artificial disease state
He believed remedies should be considered in their natural habitat; with a view to their characteristics; and thought the notion of Doctrine of Signatures a helpful one which probably could be expanded if studied more. He incorporated left-right sided effects and time aggravation; mental symptoms and organ affinity; but cautioned against use of Keynote symptoms lest others should be ignored. This inclusive approach was in contrast to the system described by Kent with the single remedy prescription of classical homeopathy.
With an energised medicine, choice of remedy and potency meant consideration of the patient’s metabolism and other characteristics; so for smaller animals which burn off effects more quickly, doses are repeated more often. There was much use of 200c potency three times weekly for 1-2 months in horses, farm species and others including cats, even for chronic conditions (based on Boenninghausen, as he treated his own farm animals).
Here, in summary, is his weighting of the different approaches to treatment:
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