Additional comment on Foot and Mouth Epidemic

By Bernard Jarman (Executive director of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association).

In Britain MAFF resolutely refuses to entertain the possibility that any form of homeopathic treatment could be effective least of all where such an infectious disease as Foot and Mouth is concerned.

In India however, a country in which FMD is endemic, things look rather different.  Here, finding an effective treatment is an essential part of life, no one would dream of trying to use slaughter as a means of eliminating it. 

One of India’s leading homeopathic vets who has successfully treated FMD over the last thirty years, describes a range of homeopathic remedies which he has used, in his book “Therapeutics of Veterinary Medicine” by BP Madrewar (published by B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi. (Available in the UK from Minerva Books Tel: 0207 385 1361) 

In the following extract from his book (pgs186-188) he describes his treatment as follows: 

“Being a viral disease there is no rational treatment, except to control secondary infection by giving antibiotics.  By conventional treatment the animal seems to suffer from sequela syndrome.  The signs are: panting respiration, uncontrolled temperature, extra growth of hair, severe weakness cessation of milk secretion, intoleration of heat due to which the animal seeks shadow or cold place.  In some animals infertility may develop. I have treated thousands of these animals by combined allopathic and homeopathic treatment.  The principal remedies are described below: 

1.      Arsenicum 30: The drug should be given at the commencement of the disease which may effect the cure.
Dose: 10 drops in a few spoonful of water or five globules every 3 hours.

2.      Mercurius solubilis 30: If the disease has attained an advanced stage and is marked by extreme symptoms, like bursting of blisters, formation of deep and ragged ulcers, and slimy, bloody saliva or discharges, this drug is administrated
Dose: a dose four times daily

3.      Rhus toxicondendron 30: The drug is used in lameness of foot, redness of mouth with burning pain.
 Dose: A dose four times daily till recovery.

4.      Natrum muriaticum 30: This drug is recommended when, due to high temperature and salivation, animal gets dehydration and becomes weak.
Dose: One dose four times daily till recovery.

5.      Ferrum phos 30: This remedy is useful in early febrile stage with weakness.  Can be given in alternation with Natrum mur.
Dose: A dose every four hours till recovery.

6.      Borax 30: In stomatitis combined with Merc sol and Arsenic.
Dose: One dose four times a day.

7.      Five phos 30 + Alfalfa 30: it brings the animal back to normal health and restores the production if given after the symptoms of the disease have subsided.
Dose: One dose two times daily for 10 days

I have tried remedies 1-6 combined irrespective of the symptoms.  A dose four times daily for seven days has brought about complete recovery without complications

I have also conducted several trials with combination of Five phos 30 + Alfalfa 30 + Kali sulph 30 + Ant tart 30 + N. sulph 30 + Arsenic 30 + Bryonia alb 30 in several groups of animals showing signs of sequela of FMD.   I have been able to achieve complete recovery within 3-4 months of treatment.

I have also tried Arsenic 30 + Merc sol 30 + Variolinum 30 as a preventative medicine, a dose once a week for three weeks.  The result was definitely better than the conventional vaccine, in which few animals suffered from mild disease during a subsequent epidemic.  In my opinion, a nosode made from the contents of the diseased parts may also give prevention and cure.

The animals should be kept housed in a quiet stall, with plenty of fresh water, air, abundance of soft straw and sufficient soft palatable food.”

The author makes use of both allopathic and homeopathic treatments in his general practice believing that: “No system of medicinal therapy can lay claim to perfection; different systems can be complimentary to one another.  Every system has its important place in the treatment of diseases” (quote from Dr. PN Pai)

Current experience in India confirms that animals become immune after infection and that some never catch it even when directly exposed to infected animals.  The experience of Sir Albert Howard is also confirmed in that by careful breeding and good healthy feeding and management FMD largely disappears as a major problem.  It has also been noted that crossbreeds seem more susceptible.

(Information provided by a BD consultant)

Another approach to treatment was tried many years ago during the 1922-24 outbreak. The then Duke of Westminster nursed his herd of 400-pedigree stock through the disease having gained special permission from MAFF.  His herd was successfully treated, by following the guidance of older stockmen who remember how it was dealt with before the slaughter policy began:

“These consisted of syringing the feet and mouth with a solution of salt and water.  When the blisters burst the feet were dressed with Stockholm tar and the tongue recovered without further treatment. 

To prevent the cattle standing in manure or urine which could re-infect them, a round the clock watch kept their droppings removed.  Hamilton said, “that was the answer.  Keep the cow’s feet clean for two to five days after the blisters burst until the sores healed up and all our troubles were over”

The cows were off their food for a few days until the blisters on their tongue burst, but recovered swiftly and within two to three weeks were back to normal except for the few that got septic feet.  Two cows did die during this period but neither death could be put down to Foot and Mouth.”
(Taken from an article by Charles Groves in the Daily Telegraph 21st March 2001)

Note: While the use of homeopathic preventative is not prohibited, FMD is a notifiable disease in this country and if suspected must be reported immediately.