Page 10 - Autumn 17

continued from p7
Jane Keogh completed her term as President, Chris Day stepped into the role of President, and Ilse Pedler accepted nomination and election as Vice President. Jane and Chris both addressed the membership.
A lively discussion regarding the attacks on homeopathy and the BAHVS response to them took us to the end of the AGM. Means of promoting and defending homeopathy include media campaigns, legal support, client testi- monials, and case reports. Those who are interested in supporting and coordi- nating efforts should contact one of the Officers: Chris, Ilse, Stuart, or Wendy.
We reconvened after lunch for Geoff Johnson’s discussion of “Homeopathic Treatment of Osteosarcoma in Dogs”. As most of you know, Geoff is currently conducting a trial homeopathically treating dogs with a radiographic diag- nosis of osteosarcoma (OSA). The control group, provided by a university colleague, is dogs treated palliatively. Initial study results are encouraging.
Geoff’s discussion was energetic and engaging, including case studies and discussion of families and themes. Geoff provided us with a hand-out of the materia medica of homeopathic medi- cines which he has found to be particu- larly useful in treating OSA. The Aurums are massive cancer medicines, and Geoff referred us to Wolfsberg’s “Three Pieces of Gold” for an authorita- tive discussion of Aur-mur, Aur-mur- nat, and Aur-sulph. Geoff reminded us to examine rubrics involving cancer
from injury and from contusion, and to consider the role of the breakdown of relationships in cancer genesis. Other homeopathic medicines discussed were Cadmium, Calc-fluor, Conium, Asafoetida, Euphorbium, Hekla lava, Ruta and the Rutaceae. Banerji’s top bone cancer choices, Symphytum, Calc- phos, and Ruta, were discussed as well. Geoff noted that research has shown increased cancer in neutered animals, as well as increased LH levels, and he pos- tulated that potentised LH may well be an important medicine for neutered animals with cancer.
Wendy McGrandles followed with “From Rescue to Rehab – the seriously confused cases – where do you start?” This was a highly practical presentation about the kind of cases that many find challenging. Rescues have poor histo- ries, multiple stressors and conventional medications and vaccination, confused cases have multiple layers and suppres- sion where we may be the owner’s last resort, and working animals often are under incredible performance pressure and training suppression. Wendy finds Ian Watson’s “Guide to the Methodologies of Homeopathy” useful in describing various methodologies to approach these cases. Methodologies that Wendy uses include: etiology, con- stitutional, isopathy, tautopathy, reper- torisation, miasm, nosodes, bowel nosodes, related remedies, organ reme- dies, and SRP. Wendy illustrated her approach with clinical cases. She sum- marised by pointing out how we can improve most cases with a holistic approach, removing obstacles to cure and using diagnostics rationally, and including the possibility of supportive treatments and palliation if cure is not attainable. Good case taking and obser- vation is essential, matching the energy of the remedy with the patient, assess- ing progress and layers of the case, and avoiding confusing the case!
On Saturday 14 October, Chris Day gave the keynote address of Courage, Voice, and Vision. Chris is a stalwart of veterinary homeopathy, and is one of the founding parents of the BAHVS, so
he has also been a lightning rod for anti- homeopathic sentiment. Chris describes energy as the fundamental entity through which physical form, chemistry, and biochemistry are mani- fest. Because of this energetic basis, excessive risk aversion is counter pro- ductive, as movement is necessary for life. Chris related some of his own expe- riences, from his recent near death and his most recent dealings with the RCVS. He reminded us that evidence based medicine includes clinical experience and best practice, not just RCT and lab research. Chris suggests mutual support tutorials, and encouraged us to engage with him and the other Officers on our visions for the future of homeopathy, veterinary homeopathy, and the BAHVS.
Sue Armstrong followed with a fas- cinating discussion: “Can Homeopathy Alter Gene Expression?” Epigenetics is a relatively recent field of genetics, study- ing how molecules can affect DNA expression by their interaction with non-coding DNA. The environment (diet, microbiome, lifestyle, toxin expo- sure) can thus affect gene expression without causing mutation of the genome.
Recent research has revealed that transport along the extracellular matrix (ECM) is faster than the nervous or cir- culatory system. The mucous mem- branes are part of the ECM, and energy and molecules travel through the system. It is likely that our homeopathic medicines are travelling via the ECM. Cells all have the same DNA; cell differ- entiation and the expression of genes by
8
Continued