48,00 €
Mehr erfahren.
- Herausgeber: Kenilworth Press
- Kategorie: Fachliteratur
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011
This truly comprehensive and practical guide has now been revised and updated. With careful selection of the right remedy, homeopathy will often succeed where conventional medicine has failed. As widespread interest in alternative therapies continues to grow amongst horse owners, this unique book provides practical and systematic insights, giving clear descriptions of ailments and their suggested remedies enabling treatment to be specifically tailored and thus ensuring the best chance of success. Praise for the First Edition: A useful reference for veterinary homeopaths working with horses as well as those with little or no homeopathic knowledge. 'Homeopathy' The most comprehensive equine [homeopathic] reference book. 'British Dressage'
Das E-Book können Sie in Legimi-Apps oder einer beliebigen App lesen, die das folgende Format unterstützen:
Seitenzahl: 1134
Ähnliche
‘All things are poison. It is the dosage that makes things not a poison’ Paracelsus 1493–1541
Homeopathyfor HORSES
Tim Couzens
BVetMed, MRCVS, VetMFHom, CertVetAc
Contents
Epigraph
Title Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
Constitutional Remedies and Types
Basic Information – Vital Signs
The Eye
The Ear
The Respiratory System
The Heart and Circulation
The Blood and Blood Vessels
The Lymphatic System
The Digestive System
The Liver
The Urinary System
The Reproductive System
The Foal
The Locomotor or Musculoskeletal System – Part One
The Locomotor or Musculoskeletal System – Part Two
The Foot
The Nervous System
The Skin
The Endocrine System
Infectious Diseases
Behavioural Problems
Miscellaneous Conditions
Poisoning
Pre- and Post-Operative Homeopathy
Vaccines, Vaccination Reactions, Vaccinosis and Nosodes
First Aid and Emergency Care
Remedies for the First Aid Kit
EQUINE MATERIA MEDICA
Minor and Rarely Used Remedies
The Bowel Nosodes
The Tissue Salts
Glossary and Other Homeopathic Terms
Notes
Further Reading
Useful Addresses
Index
Copyright
This book is dedicated to my parentsMargaret and Norman Couzens
Acknowledgements
I should like to thank the members of my family and my staff for their help throughout the development, research and writing of this book. I have to add special thanks to Julie, without whose support this book would not have been completed before the end of the current decade, and my children, Caroline, Sophie and Toby, for their patience.
A big thank you also goes to Dee, David and Lesley formerlyat Kenilworth Press for their unquestionable support, extraordinary patience and for tolerating (with unerring good humour) the ever-extending deadline.
Finally, many thanks to Tony Pinkus at Ainsworths Homeopathic Pharmacy, London, for his support, help and advice relating to the section on individual remedies, the Materia Medica.
Tim Couzens
Disclaimer
Information and advice supplied in this book is no substitute for professional veterinary care. Where the need arises, a qualified veterinary surgeon should be consulted in all cases to establish an accurate diagnosis and to ensure that suffering is avoided.
The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.
The clinical information, remedy details and list of suggested remedies are believed to be as accurate and as up to date as possible. The reader should be aware that there might, however, be errors, inaccuracies and omissions.
Preface
It is not possible for any one single person to hold all the knowledge to write a book such as this. The information it contains has been sourced from many avenues. Much has come from personal experience from treating horses over the last fifteen or so years. Much has come from colleagues through personal contact, from a myriad of conversations, from published articles, from the internet and from existing homeopathic books sourced from around the world. Neither is it possible for any single person to have experienced all the conditions listed, let alone treat them using homeopathy. Where the gaps exist, remedies have been determined, accurately I hope, using both manual and computerised repertorisation. I would like to thank all those who have contributed knowingly or unknowingly to this book.
Tim Couzens February 2006
Foreword
Veterinary homeopathy has a long history. Dr Samuel Hahnemann, who formulated the system in the early nineteenth century, is known to have treated animals, and his pupil Von Boenninghausen used homeopathy on the animals on his country estate. However, the first veterinary surgeon known to have used homeopathy was Wilhelm Lux. He is also attributed with having invented the use of nosodes and he wrote the first book on veterinary homeopathy, Zooiasis, in 1837.
In the United Kingdom the ‘father of British homeopathy’, James Moore, wrote several books on the treatment of domestic species of animal, among them The Horse Owner’s Veterinary Guide (1863) and Horses Ill and Well:Homoeopathic Treatment of Diseases and Injuries, of which five editions were printed between 1873 and 1885. There then seems to have been a long gap in the publication of such works until George MacLeod’s The Homeopathic Treatment of Horses was released in 1977.
George almost single-handedly kept veterinary homeopathy alive in the UK in the immediate post-war years and, as a co-founder of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons, played a significant part in its revival. However, the approach to homeopathy evident in his writings was based almost exclusively on pathological symptoms. Equine homeopathy has advanced considerably since then and the need for a more relevant reference work has become ever more pressing. This book is therefore timely.
In this context, perhaps the most important development in equine homeopathy in recent years is the use of constitutional prescribing. Vital to an understanding of this concept is the assessment of the mental and emotional state of the patient, and this is where the major development of this book lies. In the past, horses were viewed as merely sophisticated machines with functions to perform in the service of their owners and, certainly in the medical treatment of their diseases, even with homeopathy, no consideration was made of their mental and emotional state. Modern homeopathy insists that we take these issues into account when prescribing on the deepest level and, while experience and training are necessary to prescribe accurately in this way, the rewards indeed justify the time and effort spent, both in the training of the veterinary homeopath and in the extended consultations necessary. It is at this constitutional level that homeopathy can provide the greatest benefit for its recipient. Careful reading of the relevant chapters of this book will provide a fascinating introduction to this field and hopefully will spur the reader to investigate it more fully.
Tim and I studied homeopathy together at the Faculty of Homeopathy, and we took the examinations for the Veterinary Membership (VetMFHom) together. Subsequently we followed our separate paths. Tim successfully developed his own style of homeopathy, and concentrated on building up the Holistic Veterinary Medicine Centre in East Sussex; he has written regularly for several magazines, in both the small animal and equine fields. In 1995, I set up my own referral practice, based in and around the Peak District, offering alternative veterinary therapies. At the same time I became involved in teaching homeopathy, primarily to vets and doctors, with the Homeopathic Professionals Teaching Group. Teaching opportunities now regularly take me overseas.
In 2000, Tim and I joined forces when I took up a post in Sussex with him. We exchanged ideas and I’m sure we have learned a great deal from each other. Since that time we have both been engaged in writing books, sharing our individual experiences, but aimed at filling different niches. I have no doubt that this work will perfectly fill the gap which has existed for so long in the homeopathic literature in the English language; an increasing number of veterinary surgeons around the world now practise homeopathy and, for those, the need for a comprehensive equine reference book is at last satisfied.
In addition, while I strongly believe that the homeopathic treatment of horses should remain under the control of a qualified veterinary surgeon, there is much that the informed owner can do to treat minor ailments in their animals. In such cases an understanding of the disease process in operation is vital. Furthermore, for those few horse owners without easy access to a qualified professional, but with an open-minded and co-operative veterinary surgeon on hand, once again this book will be invaluable.
In summary, a comprehensive treatise on equine homeopathy such as this contains something for everyone. For the horse owner unfamiliar with this form of therapy, the first aid remedies can provide a valuable tool in self-help; for the more serious conditions, once a veterinary diagnosis has been made, homeopathy represents a valuable complement or alternative to conventional medicine and, for the aspiring veterinary homeopath, an introduction to the subject in more depth will enable a start to be made; hopefully this will stimulate an interest in further study.
It is a privilege to be requested by Tim to write this foreword, and I look forward to sharing our experiences for a long time yet.
Peter Gregory BVSc VetFFHom CertIAVH MRCVS Fellow of the Faculty of Homeopathy Past President of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons Partner in the Homeopathic Professionals Teaching Group (HPTG) Co-author (with John Saxton VetFFHom) of A Textbook of Veterinary Homeopathy
Introduction
Homeopathy1 is a form of complementary medicine based on the principle of ‘like cures like’. In contrast to conventional medicine, where drugs are prescribed on allopathic2 or antipathic3 principles to fight illness, homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the basis of ‘similar to suffering’. In fact the term homeopathy is derived from two Greek words, ‘homoios’, meaning ‘like’, and ‘pathos’, which is translated as suffering.
The Origins of Homeopathy
Homeopathy as we know it today has been practised for over 200 years and was developed by the German scientist and physician Samuel Hahnemann, towards the end of the 18th century. The concept however, was by no means new even in Hahnemann’s day. He attributed the original theory to the Greek Hippocrates, the 5th-century physician and ‘father of medicine’ who, it is claimed, cured a patient dying in the final stages of cholera by using an extract of Veratrum album, the white hellebore. In toxic doses this highly poisonous plant causes dehydration, collapse and a potentially fatal gastroenteritis, all symptoms that closely resemble those of cholera. Hippocrates noted that ‘by similar things disease is produced, and by similar things administered to the sick, they are healed of their disease’ – the principle of ‘like cures like’ as rediscovered by Samuel Hahnemann.
The Work of Samuel Hahnemann
Samuel Hahnemann was born in Meissen, Germany in 1755, the son of a porcelain painter. Studying medicine in Leipzig and then in both Vienna and Erlangen, he qualified in 1779 and started practising in Dresden. Medicine at this time was founded on dubious practices involving blood letting, along with the use of strong purgatives, emetics and other such drugs, which often did more harm than good.
In 1789 Hahnemann moved to Leipzig, supplementing his income by working as a medical translator. Increasingly, he turned to work of this type as he became disillusioned by the medical practices of the day. Whilst translating one particular medical text in 1790, Cullen’s Materia Medica, he came across a passage about Cinchona bark in which it was said to cure ‘Marsh fever’ (better known as malaria), due to its astringent qualities. As a scientist, Hahnemann knew that there were far more powerful astringents that had no benefit at all in treating malaria. Intrigued he investigated further, dosing himself with an extract of cinchona bark (which contains quinine) and noting the effects carefully over the following days.
To his amazement he gradually started to develop the symptoms of malaria one after the other, despite the fact that he did not actually have the disease. Each time he took a dose the symptoms returned and lasted for several hours, eventually disappearing completely when he stopped taking the extract. He rationalised that if an extract of cinchona bark could cause the symptoms of malaria, this was perhaps the way in which the illness was cured by the same medicine. To test his theory, he repeated his experiment on friends, once again observing the same results.
Further experiments followed under strict conditions, on other remedies, some of them involving other popular medicines of the day such as Arsenic and Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade). From this painstaking work he was able to develop ‘drug pictures’ for each of his remedies by noting the effects on healthy individuals. These effects included the mental (psychological) and physical symptoms the substances produced, as well as more detailed information such as the circumstances in which the symptoms arose, the effect of the weather and even how the symptoms varied with the time of day. These tests he called provings (simply meaning tests), from the German word prufung. By careful observation of the symptoms the remedy could produce in a healthy individual he was able to predict which symptoms of illness that remedy could potentially cure in a sick patient. This is the principle or basis of the law of similars; let likes be cured by likes, ‘Similia similibus curentur’.
After six years of testing he published an article detailing the homeopathic principle in a leading medical journal and followed this with a treatise on homeopathy called the Organon of Rational Medicine (1810). Over subsequent years he published the results of his systematic provings of potential remedies in his Materia Medica (1811–21).
The Dilution Factor
In treating his patients, Hahnemann matched the remedy picture with the disease symptoms and gave the most appropriate medicine, which he termed the ‘similimum’. In many instances, crude doses of his medicines unfortunately produced unpleasant side effects so he started to dilute them in an attempt to minimise this problem. Using diluted remedies, Hahnemann observed that the symptoms of some of his patients seemed to get worse before improving. He termed this effect an ‘aggravation’ and to prevent this from happening he changed the way in which he diluted his remedies. Rather than using straight serial dilution, his revised method involved diluting a remedy and shaking it vigorously, banging the vial containing the remedy down on a hard surface at each stage of the dilution. Hahnemann is reputed to have used a leather bound bible for the purpose. This method is known homeopathically as succussion and is a critical step in the preparation of homeopathic remedies.
To Hahnemann the diluted medicines certainly provoked less aggravation in his patients but, to his surprise, appeared to work much faster and more effectively. This is in direct contrast of course to conventional medicines, which become less effective when diluted. These new dilutions Hahnemann termed ‘potentisations’. The word potency is still used in homeopathy today to describe the strength or dilution of a remedy.
How Remedies are Made
The principles of remedy production as developed by Hahnemann are still used today. Most of the homeopathic remedies we use are made from plant, animal and mineral sources but the sources are now very varied. Sunlight, radiation, magnetism, electricity and modern drugs have been potentised into effective remedies.
Their manufacture is carried out in a very precise and exact way. For homeopathic remedies made from soluble substances such as plant extracts and animal products (such as snake venom), the original base material is dissolved in a mixture of 90 per cent pure alcohol and 10 per cent distilled water and left to stand for between two and four weeks with periodic shaking. After having been strained the liquid produced is termed the mother tincture, and denoted in homeopathy by the suffix Ø. To produce remedies from insoluble substances – minerals, such as calcium phosphate and metals such as silver or iron for example – a process known as trituration is used. This involves repeatedly grinding the original substance using a pestle and mortar with lactose sugar to a point where it becomes soluble in alcohol to produce a mother tincture.
To produce homeopathic potencies, the mother tincture is then serially diluted and succussed at every stage. Two dilution ranges are commonly in use. The decimal potencies, denoted by the suffix x, are produced by dilutions of 1 in 10 dilutions. The centesimal range, denoted by c, uses dilution steps of 1 in 100.
For example, to produce the 6c potency of a remedy, one drop of the mother tincture would be added to 99 drops of an alcohol/water mixture and succussed. One drop of the resulting solution, the 1c potency, would then be added to 99 drops of alcohol/ water mixture and succussed again to produce the 2c potency. The process would need to be repeated a further four times to produce the 6c potency. A few drops of this solution (known as a potentising solution) would then be added to the blank carrier material used for dosing the patient. Normally lactose (milk sugar) tablets, powders, pillules or granules are used for this purpose. Remedies can also be supplied as liquids in which case a few drops of the potentising solution are added to a weak alcohol and water mixture and shaken well.
The Acceptance of Homeopathy
Not surprisingly Hahnemann was regarded with hostility by the medical profession. The apothecaries objected to him preparing his own remedies and his fellow physicians objected to his homeopathic theories and practice, suggesting they were nothing more than utter nonsense. Despite his tireless work he lacked definitive medical evidence of the proof of his methods. In the winter of 1812–13 a typhoid outbreak occurred in Leipzig amongst the remainder of Napoleon’s defeated troops. Hahnemann treated 180 cases of which only two died. Again in 1830 an outbreak of cholera was treated by one of his students using the remedy Camphor with dramatic results. The mortality rate in those patients treated conventionally was between 60–70 per cent; in those treated homeopathically it was below ten per cent.
Ultimately cholera was to spread to London and was at its height in 1854 when over 10,000 died in the region of Soho alone. The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital allocated all its resources to treating the outbreak. Prescriptions were given on the basis of sound homeopathic prescribing – Camphor, Helleborus and Copper were used with great success. So effective was the treatment in fact, that the Board of Health found it necessary to suppress publication of the statistical results on the basis that homeopathic practitioners ‘…would give an unjustifiable sanction to an empirical practice, alike opposed to the maintenance of truth and the progress of science’.
Despite an increasing interest and mounting evidence for its effectiveness in treating illness in man and animals, homeopathy has always been subject to criticism of this type in one way or another. Without doubt one of the main stumbling blocks to the acceptance of homeopathy has been the dilution factor.
More on Dilution
Hahnemann had found that by diluting his remedies in a specific way they became more potent, and at the same time this removed any toxic or unwanted side effects. On a scientific basis however, progressive dilution soon results in not a single molecule of the original substance remaining, yet the greater the dilution, the more powerful the action of the remedy when correctly prescribed. In fact around the level of the 12c dilution, the limit of Avogadro’s number4 is reached, so that indeed, potencies higher than this contain nothing of the original substance used at the start of the dilution process, yet remain effective.
The key point at this stage is to accept that it is the solvent (alcohol) which carries an, ‘energy imprint’ from one potency to the next and to understand that it is likely that some kind of electromagnetic effect is involved. This is supported by the observation that the use of a polar solvent is necessary to manufacture homeopathic remedies. Current research involving nuclear magnetic resonance and theories centred around quantum mechanics may yet reveal the mechanism by which homeopathy works. What we do know is that homeopathic remedies work by some form of interaction with the body involving the ‘energy’ contained in the potentised medicine
The Vital Force
Hahnemann had also given some thought as to how his remedies might work. He proposed that the body must contain some form of subtle energy that responded to the small energetic prompts from the remedies to encourage healing. This energy he termed the ‘vital force’, a concept that is also recognised in other systems of natural healing. For example, in Chinese medicine it is referred to as Chi or Qi. In Ayurvedic medicine (an ancient system of healing used in India), the vital force is referred to as Prana.
It is this energy that is responsible for maintaining health and harmony within the body. A great many factors can influence the vital force and its role in ensuring equilibrium. These include diet, environment, stress, genetic factors and concurrent administration of conventional drugs. In fact Hahnemann had recognised that health was affected by external influences and was a supporter of healthy eating and good hygiene and was aware of the problems caused by over indulgence and the effects of drinking excess coffee and alcohol. A homeopathic remedy correctly prescribed will support the vital force in fighting ill health and allow the body to heal so that a state of harmony is restored once more.
Acute and Chronic Symptoms and the Concept of Miasms
Symptoms of illness will arise when the vital force is unable to maintain equilibrium. Some problems appear suddenly (such as a respiratory infection or a sprained ligament) causing an acute illness that runs a short course. The body is able to overcome the problem with or without help and the animal recovers. In contrast, in chronic illness such as arthritis the vital force is unable to maintain the balance, despite a number of minor victories or remissions and the symptoms recur and often slowly progress.
Hahnemann believed that many of the chronic health problems seen in people were derived from three fundamental different ‘taints’. These he termed infective miasms comprising psora (the itch), sycosis (gonorrhoea) and syphilis. The miasms were inherited through repeated generations within a family, the symptoms of which, if suppressed, would drive chronic disease inward into the body. The outcome of this process would be that an individual could risk the development of more serious disease (such as cancer or epilepsy) if the dormant miasmic trait were triggered by external factors such as stress at any time during life.
Treating animals with well-chosen remedies will sometimes fail for no obvious reason or we might note that the animal’s response is poor despite prescribing the correct remedy. The reasoning behind some of these occurrences might be that the miasmic theory has come into play. This may be a single miasm or any combination of psora, sycosis or syphilis. It seems surprising but it appears that Hahnemann’s miasmic theory can also be applied to ill health in animals, including horses, and that we can use specific remedies to combat the effects of miasmic traits.
Homeopathic Prescribing – A Brief Outline
This book is divided into sections based principally on body systems. Under each section many of the common problems encountered in horses will be listed along with suggested remedies. A lot of the remedies have been selected solely on the presenting symptoms of the patient, often purely on a pathological basis, an approach that will often yield satisfactory results. Whilst this is a valuable method and one that is easy to apply for the inexperienced, there are a number of other approaches to treating a case that can be useful. Without doubt, the most important of these is the selection of a remedy based on the animal’s constitution, an often effective approach which will repeatedly give good results, even in difficult cases.
The remaining information in this introductory section outlines briefly how you can use other ways of prescribing to the patient’s advantage.
If in any doubt as to the correct course of action, always seek professional help.
The Importance of Symptoms
The key to using homeopathic remedies successfully is to observe the patent and the patient’s symptoms in order to find the correct remedy that will then interact with the vital force and instigate the healing process. Homeopaths group these symptoms into different categories to make the task a little easier.
Local symptoms refer to a particular area of the body or organ system such as the elbow, back, eye, bladder or skin for example.
General symptoms reflect the signs shown by the patient as a whole and might include appetite, thirst, physical appearance, observation on the gait and posture, effects of hot and cold or wet and dry and how the symptoms might vary with the time of year or day.
Mental symptoms reflect the animal’s emotional or behavioural state. These might include fear, restlessness, sadness, aggressive behaviour or excitability. It is also vital to take into account specific characteristics of some of the symptoms. For example where there is a nasal discharge you should note its colour (white, clear, green, yellow), consistency (thin, runny, thick, sticky) and odour if present.
Factors that modify the individual symptoms must also be taken into account. These are termed modalities and are divided into two categories.
Aggravations which make the symptoms worse
Ameliorations which ease the symptoms
Examples of modalities include the effect of rest or movement, the time of day and the effect of hot or cold and damp or dry. Where a horse is lame, for example, you will need to note if this is better or worse for rest and the effect of the ambient temperature on the degree of lameness, or if the horse resents the affected area being touched because it is painful.
Choosing the Correct Remedy
Selection of the correct remedy is vital in order to enable the body to heal. To do this all the animal’s symptoms should be taken together to build up a picture of the animal as an individual. This includes symptoms both past and present, those symptoms that conventional medicine would ignore, strange and peculiar symptoms and those which are common to the particular condition or problem. For example, an anxious, restless, lean, athletic looking horse with sweet itch, with areas of scaling and crusty skin, which rubs intensely so that the skin bleeds, and which feels the cold easily and appears thirsty, will require a remedy encompassing all the symptoms if the case is to be successfully treated.
The best practical approach is to take the history methodically so that all the information can be carefully noted. Depending on the nature of the condition to be treated this will include the following:
Observation of the horse from a distance – first impressions.
General observation to include stance, physical appearance (fat, lean, emaciated), general demeanour (aggressive, fearful, anxious).
Details of the condition to be treated for example, mud fever, chronic cough, lameness, Cushing’s syndrome and how long it has been going on for and its periodicity – when does it come and go?
Circumstances or possible trigger factors at the start of the condition, for example loss of a companion, change of yard or a change in diet, effect of vaccination, an accident or injury, access to unsuitable feed. Aim to include relevant circumstances at the present time as well as, for example, the influences of stress and environmental conditions.
Characteristics of each individual symptom. These might include the colour of a nasal discharge, type of cough (dry, wheezy or rattling), type of diarrhoea (watery, soft) and if straining is involved. If the skin is involved this would include the type and appearance of skin lesions – scabs, sores, cracks, crusts, scaling (dandruff), weepy, dry, itchy or bleeding.
Modalities. What makes the symptoms better or worse?
Past health problems of the animal. These will help complete the picture by looking at the sort of symptoms that have been present in the past.
Problems in related animals. This is useful to see if there is a family trait.
Mental symptoms to include, for example, interaction with the owner, reaction to strangers, interaction with other horses and psychological make up – jealous, affectionate, submissive, shy, intelligent, withdrawn, excitable, unreliable, steady, tidy, aristocratic, dominant.
General symptoms – appetite, thirst, likes and dislikes, effect of oestrus, the time of year, the time of day, effect of the weather on the patient as a whole.
The history concludes with an examination of the patient, adding notes to the other categories as required. Examine the patient as a whole and each organ system as relevant – ears, eyes, nose, head, mouth, digestive system, respiratory system, urinary system, reproductive system, heart, circulation and lymphatic system, skin, locomotor system (neck, limbs, back, feet) and nervous system.
Levels of Prescribing
Having looked in detail at how to take a history, it is true to say that this approach will not be needed in all cases. A punctured sole for example will simply require a remedy based on the presenting symptoms rather than looking at the animal in its entirety. In contrast, an animal with a chronic cough or sweet itch will require a detailed history to ascertain the correct remedy. The possible ways of prescribing are detailed below.
Constitutional prescribing
This takes into account all the animal’s symptoms and then attempts to categorise the patient into one of several distinct types from a list of remedies known as polycrests. These are deep-acting remedies that act on the patient as a whole with a tendency to attempt to cure all the patient’s symptoms. Chronic problems nearly always benefit from this approach if it is at all possible to find the animal’s constitutional type. It is also a valuable approach to take if another method of prescribing has failed to improve the condition.
Prescribing on the presenting symptom
This is a commonly used approach and requires a less extensive history taking. The prescription is based on local symptoms and the accompanying modalities. You might use this approach to treat a check ligament strain, bruising to the sole or wound to the skin, situations that under normal circumstances would not require a constitutional approach.
Prescribing on the root cause
Regardless of the time period, if a specific incident or illness was the trigger for the condition it is sometimes a good idea to treat this first. Examples might include trauma from a road accident, pathological changes resulting from a wound or symptoms appearing after a specific infection. Prescribing on this basis is usually followed by a further prescription on a constitutional or presenting symptom basis. Past problems can sometimes cause a ‘block’ on the road to resolving a particular condition, so it is often a good idea to treat these initially.
Prescribing on mental symptoms
It is not always easy to elucidate a horse’s character but where this is possible, mental symptoms alone can provide a very effective way of treating illness. Any improvement in the animal’s state of mind will tend to help resolve any other problems that might be present. Looking closely at the mental symptoms will often reveal the constitutional remedy.
Prescribing for specific organs
A number of remedies have an affinity for specific organs and can be used alongside other remedies. Examples might include Solidago for the kidneys, Nux vomica for the liver and Crataegus for the heart.
Prescribing using drainage remedies
These are specific remedies used to drain toxins from different organ systems. Examples include Petroleum for the skin, Berberis for the urinary system and Chelidonium for the liver.
Preventative prescribing
Homeopathic remedies can be used in a preventive role both in the possible prevention of specific diseases by the use of nosodes (see page 322) or by preventing predicable problems. Examples of the latter involve using remedies such as Arnica before surgery, Caulophyllum before foaling and Calc phos to ensure the proper growth of bone.
Having worked out the patient’s signs and symptoms and having amassed the information and prescribing route, it is not always clear which remedy or remedies might be needed. Employing the use of a materia medica and repertory is the most practical solution to unravelling the information and selecting the best prescription.
Using a Repertory and Materia Medica
The Materia Medica
Since the time of Hahnemann’s original Materia Medica, which contained his observations on the use of remedies over the period between 1811 and 1821, a great many similar books have been written expanding Hahnemann’s original work by adding new remedies and provings. This process continues today with new additions such Aspartame, Coriander and Slate for example. The homeopathic materia medica continues to grow and is constantly evolving.
However, as a basic practical edition to use in conjunction with this book, the Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory by W. Boericke is recommended. The book is essentially laid out as an A–Z of the most common and frequently used remedies including all of those in Hahnemann’s original Materia Medica. Although the symptomology is human based, the information it contains is easily translated to horses with a little effort and lateral thinking.
For each remedy there is a brief outline of the medicine from a homeopathic perspective followed by a breakdown of its effects on the systems of the body. An indication of what action the remedy will have on an area of the body in real life reveals how the remedy can be employed homeopathically to treat those symptoms. Typically the sections detailed below are found in most books of this type. Where appropriate the equine equivalent is given to help:
In short, use the Materia Medica quickly to check if those remedies that you have to mind are suitable and match the symptoms of your patient.
The Repertory
In contrast to the Materia Medica, the repertory approaches the subject of finding the remedy from the opposite perspective. That is by using the patient’s symptoms collectively to search for suitable remedies and then narrowing down the choice to a single medicine.
Here we have a book, which in its original form was divided up into sections that are not dissimilar to those above. Older repertories, such as Kent’s Repertoryof the Homoeopathic Materia Medica, use language and section headings which are sometimes archaic and which can make it difficult to locate remedies easily. More modern versions such as the Homeopathic Medical Repertory by Robin Murphy are arranged alphabetically, simply from A–Z, commencing with the abdomen through to the wrists. Under each individual section, signs and symptoms are further broken down systematically to a very detailed level including modalities. Under each detailed entry, termed a rubric, will follow a list of graded remedies that have an association with that symptom. A typical entry might appear as:
The remedies are graded to show how strongly the remedy shows the symptom within its symptom picture. Those remedies listed in Bold type are the most prominent, those in italics are associated less strongly and those in plain type the least important in relation to the symptom. By taking a selection of the patient’s symptoms (which should cover a variety of symptoms across different body systems if possible) the relevant rubrics can be consulted to compile a list of appropriate remedies. By scoring the remedies based on the type classification (those in bold type scoring three points, italic type two points and plain type one point), the remedy or remedies that score the highest should be considered suitable candidates. This is a process referred to as repertorisation. Using a modern computerised repertory such as Macrep, Cara, Isis or Radar, this time consuming process can now be carried out quickly and more reliably than with manual methods. Nevertheless, at the final stage, consulting a materia medica and using past experience and intuition, is often the best way to confirm your remedy choice.
Having selected a remedy, the next question is to choose the potency.
Potency and Potency Selection
The question of potency can be confusing, making it difficult to select the best option for the case in hand. The term potency refers to the ‘strength’ or dilution of the remedy. The two most common potency ranges are the decimal range and the centesimal range. Commonly used decimal potencies include 1x, 3x, and 6x and in the centesimal range frequently used potencies include 6c, 12c, 30c and 200c. Often the suffix c is omitted from the centesimal range so that for example, Arnica 30 is the same as Arnica 30c. The 1M potency is also used from time to time. 1M is equivalent to 1000c. High potencies are considered to be anything above 12c whilst low potencies are normally anything below 6c. Anything between 6c and 12c is considered intermediate.
It is generally accepted that higher potencies have a deeper action and act for a longer duration. This is however, at the expense of breadth of action. In a simple analogy, higher potencies have a narrow target band to hit to achieve an effect, but act with greater force and for longer. In contrast, low potencies act for a shorter duration and have a weaker healing effect whilst having a greater or easier target area to hit. Selecting the potency to use depends on the patient and the nature of the condition to be treated. Unfortunately there are no real hard or fast rules as different homeopaths adopt different approaches but there are some basic guidelines to follow:
Acute conditions often warrant the 30c potency or higher if you are certain that the remedy closely matches the symptoms. If you unsure of the remedy to use, it is far better to use the 6c than no remedy at all. Acute conditions, in general, require frequent dosing; the more acute the symptoms, the more frequently the remedy needs to be given. Lower potencies will need to be given far more frequently in this situation (say up every 15 minutes), than the higher potencies.
Chronic problems often require low potencies if prescribed on a symptomatic basis such as a 6c or 30c or below. Conditions of this type such as degenerative joint disease will often require daily dosing over an extended period of time, possibly for the remainder of the animal’s life.
Remedies prescribed on a constitutional basis usually require a high potency (1M or 10M) to act deeply and should be given sparingly. A few doses are often all that are needed.
High potencies are also required for treating psychological problems and for conditions that have their root deep in the past, such as a past illness or a particular traumatic episode.
In this book suitable potencies are suggested for each condition, but may be varied within the context of each individual animal and the symptoms displayed.
If you have now established your remedy, potency and dose, the next step is to observe the effects of the treatment.
Evaluating the Outcome
There are a number of possible outcomes of dosing with a remedy.
No response. This could be due to an:
Incorrect prescription. In this case the remedy does not correlate to the patient’s symptoms and the case must be re-evaluated to find a closer match.Correct remedy, wrong potency. Where the selected remedy is correct, it is possible that the potency is too low to instigate healing and that the patient will require a higher prescription. It is also possible that the potency is too high and that, in effect, it shoots past the target. In this case it is best to try a lower potency.Correct remedy, wrong dosing frequency. If the correct remedy has been selected it might be possible that the dosing frequency is too low to effect a response. In this case it is worth increasing the frequency of dosing.The action of the remedy is blocked. This can be due to some past event or illness that will need to be resolved before the remedy will work.Weak response. The reasons for this are:
The potency is too low. A low potency has breadth of action but has a weaker healing force. In this situation, consider using a higher potency.The dosing frequency is too low. In this case, increasing the dose frequency may resolve the situation.A close remedy has been used in which case a related remedy should be selected instead, such as using Calc fluor instead of Calc phos.The patient’s symptoms become worse. This is termed an aggravation. In this situation, treatment should be stopped to see the symptoms resolve. If this proves to be the case, the patient will sometimes improve and the condition will resolve. If a resolution is not achieved, treatment should be continued with a higher potency.
Old symptoms appear. This is termed a recapitulation and is in effect the unlocking of old symptoms that have been suppressed by previous treatment. This is considered a good sign and treatment should be continued.
New symptoms appear. Treatment with homeopathy can sometimes be likened to peeling the layers from an onion. An initial remedy resolves the symptoms, which are uppermost (on the outermost layer of the onion), only to reveal a new set of symptoms that were hidden on the layer below. Take this into account and re-evaluate the symptoms to see if a more appropriate remedy is required.
The animal’s symptoms resolve. When the prescription is correct the patient gets better as the symptoms disappear. Once this stage has been reached, treatment can be stopped and recommenced should the signs return. However, as is often the case, chronic symptoms (especially where there is irreversible pathology) will require remedies to be given on a long-term basis, as a practical cure is not always possible.
Homeopathy and Side Effects
Freedom from side effects is cited as one of the main benefits of homeopathy. In fact if the wrong remedy is given it simply has no effect. It is clear from the list of possible outcomes, however, that some of the results could be mistaken as side effects. Neither aggravations nor the appearance of old symptoms (recapitulation) are side effects. They are short lasting episodes on the road to resolving the condition under treatment.
It is possible to prove a remedy, however, in a similar manner to the way in which Hahnemann proved remedies in the early days of homeopathy. A proving can occur if the animal is particularly sensitive to a specific remedy. This is likely to arise if the remedy is given too often or if treatment is carried on for an extended period of time. If you suspect a proving you should stop treatment immediately, at which time the symptoms should disappear fairly quickly just as they did when Hahnemann conducted his original provings.
How Remedies are Supplied and How to Dose the Patient
Potentised remedies can be supplied in a number of forms:
Lactose tablets, globules, soft pills or pillulesLactose powdersSugar (sucrose) granulesLiquid potency, usually supplied in a dropper bottleMother tincture, rarely used in horses and diluted in waterMost horse owners will use either hard tablets, the soft pills or powders (which are more expensive). Powders are supplied wrapped individually in small pieces of carefully folded paper. The powder can be tipped straight from the paper into the lower lip of the horse or onto the cut surface of an apple or carrot, which can then be given to the patient. Pills, pillules (which are small round slightly hard balls) and granules (a dose is considered enough to cover the bottle cap) can be similarly tipped onto an apple or carrot. Liquid potencies can be dripped into the horse’s lower lip. About ten drops will normally suffice. Liquids are also best suited to mass yard medication as they can be added to a water trough. For the average trough adding about 20–25ml daily will suffice.
Care and Storage of Remedies
As energised medicines, homeopathic remedies need special handling and storage. Given proper care, the remedies will remain viable for many years, but they can be affected by certain factors that can destroy their potency. If this occurs they may become ineffective. There are a few basic rules to follow:
Do not handle the medicines as this can depotentise them. This applies where the remedy is supplied as tablets, pills or pillules in particular, as opposed to powders, granules or liquid potencies.Keep the remedies in darkened glass vials, although for short-term storage, darkened plastic bottles will suffice. Always keep the lid on other than when dispensing the remedy.Never return unused remedies back into their container.Store the remedies out of strong sunlight and keep at room temperature and away from extremes of temperature.Keep away from strong smells, especially camphor, eucalyptus, perfumes and the like.Keep well away from sources of electromagnetic radiation such as computers, microwaves, televisions and mobile phonesInteraction with Conventional Medicines
Correctly applied, homeopathy provides an excellent means of allowing the body to heal. Where practical, and with the animal’s welfare at heart, it is best to avoid using homeopathy with conventional drugs where possible. Some conventional medications can adversely affect the way in which the remedies work. Drugs particularly to be avoided include steroids. Vaccines too can produce unwarranted effects on the body (see page 322), not only altering the immune system in some cases, but also by changing the way in which the body is able to respond to homeopathic remedies. Antibiotics do not, in general, pose a problem and often will work more effectively in conjunction with some homeopathic remedies.
Other forms of complementary medicine can be used alongside homeopathy with professional guidance and where necessary. Acupuncture, nutraceuticals (supplements) and Bach flower remedies in general work well with homeopathy. Herbal remedies can often provide additional support if well chosen, whilst some of the oils used in aromatherapy can prevent remedies from working effectively if used without care.
Notes
1 This is now the current accepted spelling, which omits the second ‘o’. Older spellings, homoeopathy and homoeopathy are still in occasional use and present in many older texts.
2 Allopathically prescribed medicines have no direct relationship to the patient’s symptoms. Antibiotics are a good example.
3 Antipathic medicines work to oppose the patient’s symptoms such as kaolin used in the treatment of diarrhoea.
4 Avogadro’s number is approximately 6.022x1023 representing the number of molecules in a mole which (in chemistry) is the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams.
Constitutional Remedies and Types
A constitutional homeopathic remedy is one that is matched to the patient as a whole. It encompasses both psychological and physical characteristics and the way in which the patient reacts to disease. In effect, the remedy relates to the mind, body and soul of the patient. Exactly what constitutional remedies cover in their remit is greater than it would initially appear. It includes inherited traits, the effect of life events, and reactions to external stimuli, lifestyle, diet, environment and other modalities. These are remedies that are also classed as polycrests; homeopathic medicines with a wide sphere of action on the body and body systems.
Constitutional prescribing is a very deep and powerful way of treating disease and needs to be used with care, preferably under the guidance of a homeopathic veterinary surgeon. The constitutional approach is one that Samuel Hahnemann frequently mentioned in his writings and greatly encouraged in the homeopathic approach to treating patients. With a little care and observation a great many of the human constitutional types identified by human homeopaths can be seen in horses.
Some Important Constitutional Types
Details of each of the following constitutional remedies are divided into several sections:
Remedy name – The homeopathic name of the remedy and the abbreviation (if any).Common name – The name by which the remedy is more commonly known.Classification – The homeopathic classification of the remedy.Preparation – How the remedy is prepared homeopathically.First impression – Relates to the initial observation of the patient.Psychological type – The behavioural characteristics of the patient corresponding to the remedy type.Main health issues – Relates to the conditions and diseases commonly seen in animals with the corresponding constitutional type.Key pointers – These are important identifying characteristics which can be tied into the psychological type to help in trying to identify an animal’s constitutional remedy.Important indications – These are the conditions which the remedy can help treat bearing in mind that the best results are likely to be seen where the remedy is used on a constitutional basis. Related, complementary and incompatible remedies – The majority of remedies have interactions with other homeopathic remedies, some good, some bad. Some remedies work well (i.e. are complementary) with others, either in conjunction or in sequence with another remedy. Where a related remedy is listed or tagged as ‘acute’, this indicates that an animal with that particular constitution may benefit from the related remedy when it shows symptoms that appear suddenly, that is to say acutely. Correspondingly, a related remedy labelled as ‘chronic’ is of benefit in treating symptoms in the patient of a particular constitutional type that have been present over a long period of time. Naturally there are remedies which are incompatible and which do not work well together or which prevent a remedy from acting properly.THE ARSENICUM HORSE
Remedy name: Arsenicum album, Ars alb
Common name: Arsenic trioxide, White oxide of metallic arsenic
Classification: Mineral: Arsenicums: Polycrest
Preparation: Trituration
First impression
Neat, tidy, compact, well groomed, restless, stylish, thoroughbred type.
Psychological type
The Arsenicum horse appears exceptionally intelligent, well groomed, clean, neat and tidy and is often of an athletic build. Outwardly they often appear worried or anxious. Anxiety is classical Arsenicum trait; the horse is restless (pacing around the box), fidgets around and seems a little uneasy, apprehensive and tense, glancing around to check that everything is as it should be. There are underlying pressures supporting the anxious behaviour. They are sensitive to disorder, confusion and changes in their routine. They are fundamentally insecure and prefer other animals around to give them reassurance. Major changes, such as change of yard, result in considerable stress with anxiety symptoms that will take many weeks to resolve. They can be picky, fastidious, can appear sad, fearful and indifferent, can become vexed and irritable at times and are definitely over-sensitive to pain. Arsenicum horses make neat swift, sometimes jerky, movements. As chilly individuals they feel the cold and will frequently need rugging up, preferring the comfort of a warm stable to the outside, especially if it is cold and wet.
Main health issues
Arsenicum has a very wide sphere of action but problems tend to focus on psychological issues and on the skin, digestive and respiratory systems with an affinity for problems associated with mucous membranes. Arsenicum is a remedy for allergy-based problems such as COPD RAO (respiratory system) and sweet itch (skin). Skin symptoms involve scaling (dandruff) and such an intensity of irritation that the horse will rub itself raw so the skin bleeds. Respiratory symptoms usually encompass a dry cough and wheezing (due to airway constriction). Respiratory infections can also respond where there is a discharge that excoriates (burns) the skin. Digestive symptoms that can respond encompass severe debilitating diarrhoea with weakness leading to collapse.
Key pointers
Anxious and restless ‘nervy animals’Fear of being aloneChilly-feels the coldThirsty but only for small amounts each timeSymptoms worse 12pm-2am, around midnight especiallySensitivity to disorder and confusionDry, scaly skin, dandruffHistory of sweet itch or COPDImportant indications
Fever with restlessness or anxietySepticaemia and toxaemiaCollapseAs a general tonic after prolonged illnessAnxiety, restlessness, stereotypic behaviourConjunctivitis with an irritating dischargeRhinitisCOPD, RAO, wheezing, coughingRespiratory infectionsAdenovirus, Rhinovirus, Equine flu EHV-1, EHV-4 infectionsHeadshakingHydrothoraxAnaemia especially blood loss anaemiaOedema, filled legsStomach ulcersSevere watery foul diarrhoea with collapse or weaknessSevere diarrhoea with bloodAcute salmonellosisColitis X, Clostridial enterotoxaemiaChronic kidney failurePyelonephritisEndometritis, pyometriaCEMSweet itchRain scaldSeborrhoeaAlopeciaProud flesh especially if infectedSkin ulcersGangrenePemphigusLiceMangeVesicular stomatitis virusAfrican horse sickness (respiratory and cardiac forms)Potomac horse feverHorse pox virusEquine viral arteritis (EVA)Lyme diseaseModalities
Aggravation midnight–2am, exertion, cold, wet weather, by the seaside
Amelioration heat and warmth, company
Remedy interactions
Works well with: Phosphorus, Carbo veg, Rhus tox (especially for skin problems), Thuja, Apis
Incompatible with: Pulsatilla, Graphites, Nux vomica
Consider also: Aconite, Hepar sulph, Nit ac, Nux vomica, Phosphorus, Rhus tox, Sulphuric acid, Veratrum album
THE CALC CARB HORSE
Remedy name: Calcium carbonate, Calc carb
Common name: Impure calcium carbonate
Classification: Animal: Molluscs: Polycrest
Preparation: Trituration using the middle layer of the oyster shell
First impression
Heavy horse type, overweight, fat, slow, dull, quiet, lacks interest, excess sweat.
Psychological type
The most striking feature is the lack of interest and lack of response verging on indifference. The Calc carb horse is slow and lacks any great enthusiasm for what is happening around. This is not laziness in itself, but due to very limited capacity for anything that requires effort. This is combined with stubbornness, obstinacy and a number of behavioural issues. These can include fear of specific people, a dislike of being alone, sensitivity to sudden noises, timidity, clumsiness, a tendency to nip if irritated or coerced into activity and dislike of darkened areas, all problems hidden by their ‘clam like’ unresponsive nature. These are horses that plod in a sluggish manner and are often said to move at the pace of a tortoise. It is an effort to gain any speed and to head in the desired direction. They would rather head back to the stables to rest. This aptly demonstrates their stubborn nature and incapacity for anything energetic mentally or physically. They simply lack stamina. Thankfully not all Calc carb horses fit this picture, for within the remedy we see another type. These are the heavy horses that are strong, sturdy, gentle, reliable and patient. These are hard workers and although they move at a slow pace, they have the capacity for perseverance.
Main health issues
Calcium plays an important part in the metabolism, growth and function of the body. Consequently the actions of the remedy are widespread, encompassing muscle tissue, blood, bone and nerve tissue as well as the respiratory system, eyes, spine and skin. It is a key remedy for joint problems heralded by a combination of stiffness, heat and swelling with the presence of exostoses (the formation of new bone) and where the symptoms are worse in damp, wet weather. Calc carb can also help with tying up, muscular stiffness and muscle weakness, chronic sprains and where the back is weak. Where the skin is concerned we see areas that are thickened or cracked. Respiratory symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes under the chin, the production of thick yellow catarrh and a cough that is worse at night.
Key pointers
Stubbornness, obstinacyInert, sluggish natureLack of response and interestLack of staminaObesity or appears flabbyEasy or excessive sweatingFeels the coldClammy feel to the skinThick, yellow catarrhGeneral muscular weaknessStiff joints which are worse in damp weatherImportant indications
Joint problemsArthritis, DJDOsteochondrosis, OCDEpiphysitis (growth plate disturbance)To encourage fracture healingPedal osteitisBone spavinBone cystsCurbInjuries from overexertionMuscle atrophy (wasting)Slow-growing hornWeak backKissing spines, dorsal spinal diseaseCorneal opacity, cloudingCataractsGuttural pouch tympanyGuttural pouch mycosisChronic lymph node enlargementRanulaInfertility in the mareRigsUrolithiasis (bladder stones)Deep abscessesSkin cystsSinuses and fistulaeSweet itchMitesFleshy wartsHypothyroidism (under active thyroid)Modalities
Aggravation exertion of any type, cold weather, wet weather, change of weather from warm to cold, cold water, draughts, full moon, after midnight
Amelioration dry, warm weather
Remedy interactions
Works well with: Belladonna (acute), Rhus tox, Lycopodium, Silica, Pulsatilla
Incompatible with: Nitric acid, Nux vomica, Bryonia
Consider also: Baryta carb, Capsicum, Graphites, Kali carb, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox, Sanicula, Silica
THE GRAPHITES HORSE
Remedy name: Graphites, Graph
Common name: Black lead, Powdered graphite, Plumbago
Classification: Mineral: Carbons: Polycrest
Preparation: Trituration
First impression
Overweight, obese, poor skin and hooves, can look poorly nourished, dull, restless.
Psychological type
On first impression, the Graphites horse can appear like calc carb but there are major differences. The Graphites horse is just plain lazy all round and does not have the perseverance of the Calc personality. Added to this, the Graphites horse is often described simply as being boring, a state that some homeopaths have described as bland. They are dull and lethargic, slow to act and comprehend, slow to work out what is happening and slow to move. They are slow to learn and unable to undertake new tasks; it is as if they are switched off from the outside world. Their capacity for remembering is not good, added to which they do not have the capacity to make decisions easily. This is a remedy which also lacks confidence resulting in anxious behaviour, restlessness, timidity, apprehension, and anticipatory anxiety. This can extend to impatience and irritability at which stage they would rather be left on their own and will stand apart from the other horses in the field. As decidedly chilly individuals, Graphites animals will feel the cold easily and will need more rugs than the average horse to keep warm when the weather is cold.
Main health issues
Many of the problems of the Graphites horse are focused on the skin and hooves. Skin conditions characteristically include dermatitis where the skin is typically cracked, dry, scaly, often itchy and weepy and which may eventually become thickened given time. The secretion is described as clear and honey like and dries into yellowish crusts which matt into the hair making this remedy one of the most important in treating mud fever. Graphites can also help specifically with other forms of dermatitis affecting the bends of the limbs, around the mouth, around the region of the ears and inside the back legs. Thickened scar tissue comes under its sphere of action and may dissipate under its action and infected wounds that are slow to heal can also respond surprisingly well if the remedy is matched to the constitution. Hoof quality is often poor with flaking and cracks often reflecting past episodes of laminitis.
Key pointers
ObesityLazinessSluggish, slow attitudeBland, boring characterGreedyFeels the coldCharacteristic skin lesions, especially those with weepy, honey coloured secretionsCracked thickened skinPoor hoof qualityImportant indications
Mud feverMangeEquine nodular skin diseaseSweet itchRainscaldAlopeciaSkin cystsHyperkeratosisExcoriation of the skin (soreness)Scrotal dermatitisCracked or sore nipplesCracks or sores around the mouth or lip marginsFissured skinScar tissueTo reduce or break down adhesionsSlow healing wounds especially injuriesSeedy toeBrittle hoovesGrass crackChronic laminitisConjunctivitis with blepharitisFibrotic myopathyPoor libidoCEMHypothyroidismPost-viral syndromeModalities
Aggravation cold weather, any form of damp, when over-heated, before midnight, during oestrus
Amelioration warm coverings, fresh air, from rest
Remedy interactions
Works well with: Pulsatilla (acute), Causticum, Hepar sulph, Lycopodium, Sulphur
Incompatible with: Nux vomica, Arsenicum album, Aconite
Consider also: Ant crud, Arsenicum album, Calc carb, Calc fluor, Ferrum met, Kali bich, Pulsatilla, Sulphur
THE LACHESIS HORSE
Remedy name: Lachesis, Lach
Common name: Venom of the Bushmaster Snake, Surukuku, Lachesis muta
Classification: Animal: Reptiles: Snakes: Polycrest
Preparation: Trituration
First impression
Suspicious, wary, untrustworthy, cautious, anxious, unable to relax.
