Page 3 - Winter 13

Welcome to the Winter edition of the mag. Thanks to all who contributed this time.
There are many mentions, with fond memories at the passing of Francis Hunter who died in September last year (see Stephen Kayne’s guest editorial opposite). BAHVS President Mark Elliott updates us on political points relating to some of the veterinary associations, and I’d like to say a big thank you to Shelley Epstein and her American colleagues for the work done on behalf of veterinary homeopathy over the past year or more. See page 14 for her report on the recent AVMA decision.
There’s also an interesting report by Jack Hendrix from Belgium on the Remedy Bank that’s been set up to collect and store certified homeopathic raw materials. I hope you enjoy the reading.
Committee – BAHVS
President – Mark Elliott homeopathicvet@btinternet.com
Senior Vice-President – Sue Armstrong health@balancedbeing.com
Junior Vice-President – Jane Keogh j.keogh5@btinternet.com
Hon. Secretary – Stuart Marston sec@bahvs.com
Treasurer – Wendy McGrandles wendy@glenbrae-vet.co.uk
Magazine Editor – Malene Jørgensen malene@laforcevitale.eu
Communications Officer – Nick Thompson nickthompson@holisticvet.co.uk
IAVH Representitive – Peter Gregory pg.ahimsa@virgin.net
Faculty Veterinary Representitive
John Saxton
john.saxton@talk21.com
Mag distribution – Cheryl Sears cheryl.sears31@btinternet.com
Committee – IAVH
President – Peter Gregory pg.ahimsa@virgin.net
Treasurer – Don Hamilton donhamiltondvm@gmail.com
General Secretary – Helene Widmann helene.widmann@chello.at
Coordinator subcommittee for education:
Stefan Kohlrausch
stefan.kohlrausch@arcor.de
Head of IAVH Office – Markus Mayer office@iavh.org
Newsletter subcommittee
Malene Jørgensen
malene@laforcevitale.eu
IAVH Communications Officer
Nick Thompson
nickthompson@holisticvet.co.uk
LIGA contact – Marc Bär info@homeopatte.ch
Malene
Guest Editorial – The sun shone on a glorious English occa- sion – for a lovely English gentleman by Steven Kayne, UK
Arriving in Pulborough West Sussex by train I ini- tially sought instructions to Saint Mary’s Church from the ticket office where a wee man with a familiar accent was busy dunking biscuits in his coffee. He apologised for not being able to help, explaining that ‘he wuz no frae roond here and didnae have a clue about how tae find the Church’. Overhearing the conversation, a helpful local citi- zen stepped in and advised me to take a short cut down a wooded lane beside a field. The splendid stone built Parish Church of Saint Mary finally came into view. It dates from the 12th Century; the font is at least 11th Century and maybe even ear- lier. I joined the large congregation in a service of thanksgiving for the life of Francis Edgar Hunter, who passed away on 30th September. The service was conducted by Fr Paul Welch. The Entrance Music was the Oundle School Song, followed by Jerusalem. Tributes from family and friends fol- lowed, revealing an interesting and mischievous life. Glory, Glory Hallelujah – the Congregation was by now in great voice. Then a poem by John Pyle, ‘You can shed tears that he is gone, Or you can smile because he has lived.’ Prayers and Committal. It was a beautiful, thought provoking service, on which mourners reflected at the Wake held in Pulborough Rugby Club, quaffing Francis’ favourite beer, specially installed for the day, and munching on splendid sausage rolls. The sun shone on a glorious English occasion – for a lovely English gentleman.
Francis introduced me to George Macleod at a BAHVS Conference in Leeds in the 1990’s saying that we had better meet, because we were both from Scotland. George, though he worked in Sussex for many years, hailed from the far North - so far north he considered Glasgow to be ‘the South’. I gave an after dinner speech that I (and
bottle; it slipped down nicely, when I got back home after attending the funeral service. Slainte Francis.
It was an interesting experience to be in Cape Town, when the death of Nelson Mandela was announced. The usually vibrant city became quiet and subdued, albeit not for very long. This was a ‘JFK moment’, not to be forgotten. I was there to help launch a book written by a certain Pontefract- cake loving Yorkshire-man, well known to BAHVS conference goers. I refer of course to our good friend, Dr David Lilley, whose first volume of a tril- ogy entitled ‘Healing the Soul’ is published on 1st January 2014. It was a long journey and what we ended up with was not, what we initially planned. The exhilarating experience was enjoyed by all connected with the project – family, friends and the Saltire publishing team – and the finished work definitely reflects David’s gentle and inspiring nature. South African vet Jane Fraser told me that David has contributed greatly towards the contin- uing interest shown by vets using homeopathy in her country. While there are only a small number of colleagues who have obtained their Faculty membership, there continues to be a core of vets who are passionate about using homeopathy in their daily practice.
Peter Gregory has also authored an innovative new title – ‘Insights into Veterinary Homeopathy’ - and we wish him well with that.
Finally, an observation! I have had contact with the veterinary profession individually and on vari- ous Committees over the years and have often perceived an unease – even hostility – between some orthodox vets and non-vet colleagues. There seems to be an unfortunate belief that we are somehow encroaching on their territory and
Francis) thought was quite witty. George, who rather unnervingly was sitting right opposite me, never smiled once but nevertheless said, he thought I had made 'a reasonable attempt', when I had finished. In March 2012 Francis came to stay for a few days in Glasgow. Top of the list of sights to see was – of course – the local distilleries. We turned up at one at the midpoint between tours – but not a problem to smooth talking Francis. He charmed a young lady guide to give us a private tour, within minutes. The lady must have sus- pected that we had already taken one or two glasses of the ‘amber nectar’ with our lunch, for she skipped around the tour and left us in the tast- ing room with a bottle of their finest for the rest of the afternoon. A few days after he returned home, a bottle of English Malt Whisky arrived in the post. Now, I know any self respecting Scot would never put those three words in the same sentence but actually, in George Macleod’s words, it was defi- nitely ‘a reasonable attempt’ and much appreci- ated. Luckily, there was still a wee nip left in the
‘pinching’ their livelihood. This has never been a problem in homeopathy; one of the strengths of our discipline is that we all use our individual skills for the common good of the patient. We could cer- tainly teach our isolationist colleagues a thing or two! Of course, there are certain legal regulations to be met but these do not exclude cooperation between veterinary and human professional health care providers. It is pleasing to note that the VMD continues to offer advice and accept applica- tions for the registration of homeopathic veterinary medicinal products; they have been supportive over the years despite the protestations of the doubters and sceptics. European legislators remain a source of uncertainty but it is my guess that the EU will not interfere with individual Member States’ rights to deal with medicine leg- islation, in particular the UK’s Specials licensing system and the Prescribing Cascade.
There is real sympathy for colleagues in other countries but self-preservation should be our first concern!
The British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons (BAHVS) was formed in 1981, to advance the understanding, knowl- edge and practice of homeopathy. It aims to stimulate professional awareness of homeopa- thy and to encourage and to provide for the
training of veterinary surgeons in the practice of homeopathy.
It is an open forum for differing approaches to the subject of veterinary homeopathy and it’s application, allowing for constructive inter- changes of ideas.
This publication is copyright. No part of it may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor. Material published does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the BAHVS or the Editor.
The BAHVS does not necessarily endorse products or the companies advertised.
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