Textbook of Veterinary Homeopathy

From the Book

Preface

This book grew out of the Homeopathic Professionals Teaching Group, as two of the veterinary tutors connected with the course realized that there is no current work that is directed at veterinary surgeons, whereas there are texts available, which aim to cater for the needs of doctors.

Such veterinary works as do exist are directed mainly at animal owners. Whilst these have a certain value for veterinary surgeons, they fall short of what is needed by the committed student.

This book attempts to fulfill the needs of the increasing number of veterinary surgeons with a genuine interest in homeopathy, providing sufficient information for them to gain an understanding of the principles and philosophy, together with guidance on basic prescribing.

At the same time it is hoped that both the more experienced veterinary practitioner and colleagues in other medical professions will find useful information in it.

It is assumed that the reader has no previous knowledge of homeopathy. Inevitably some information, especially that pertaining to basic principles, will be available in other texts. However, as one of the aims has been to draw together material that is otherwise scattered through¬out the literature, homeopaths of all disciplines should find it of value.

Emphasis is given to the veterinary aspects of all subjects. Thus different routes to the simillimum, which are particularly useful in animals, are discussed to a greater degree than in the purely human texts. The emphasis throughout is on basic principles that can be applied to all situations. Detailed discussion of individual species, especially the farm animals, is only included where the approach differs from the standard.

In the main, detailed materia medica has been omitted. This aspect of homeopathy is well covered in other works, and its principal mention here is within the context of the veterinary dimension.

The aim has been to provide an introductory manual and reference work that will not sit unthumbed on shelves for too long, but which will be well used, encouraging and informing the aspiring veterinary homeopath and assisting in the creation of a rounded practitioner capable of operating at all levels of homeopathic prescribing.

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Details

This book is written as an introduction to homeopathic medicine for veterinary surgeons that would like to introduce this form of therapeutics into their practice. It will also be of value to the reader who wishes to pursue the subject at a deeper level. The authors have extensive experience in teaching homeopathy to veterinary surgeons, doctors, nurses and veterinary nurses, both in the UK and internationally.

The first part begins with the historical backgrounds, philosophy and underlying principles of homeopathy, providing a detailed discussion of the scientific basis of the discipline and veterinary evidence for its effectiveness. Specific issues such as the theory of miasms, the bowel Nosodes and the homeopathic approach to vaccination are also covered.

The second part discusses each of the body systems from the homeopathic point of view. Examples of typical situations encountered in practice are given throughout, with an explanation of how remedies from the homeopathic materia medica will have been used to treat them. In addition, there are chapters on the homeopathic management of behavioral problems, neoplasia and the geriatric patient.

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Author

John Saxton

John Saxton (BVetMed VetFFHom CertIAVH MRCVS) qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1964 and began his career in a mixed practice, subsequently setting up his own companion animal practice. He now combines complementary veterinary referral practice in the Leeds area with teaching.

He is President, a Veterinary Fellow and an Examiner of the Faculty of Homeopathy, London and a past President of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons. He is also a Recognized Teacher and Examiner for the International Association for Veterinary Practice.

Peter Gregory

Peter Gregory (BVSc VetFFHom CertIAVH MRCVS) qualified from the Bristol University School of Veterinary Science in 1972 and worked in a mixed practice in the UK before spending seven years in a mixed practice on the tropical coast of North Queensland. He now works in a holistic veterinary referral center in East Sussex.

He is a Veterinary Fellow and Examiner of the Faculty of Homeopathy and President of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons. He is also a Recognized Teacher for the International Association for Veterinary Homeopathy.

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Reviews

Reprinted from Newsletter,
British Association of Veterinary Homeopaths

TEXTBOOK OF VETERINARY HOMEOPATHY
John Saxton MRCVS and Peter Gregory MRCVS

Everything comes to the one who can wait. When I attended my studies at the Homeopathic Professionals Teaching Group course in Oxford I heard for the first time about the book that these two authors were about to publish. That was around three years ago, and now IT IS HERE! At that time I anticipated a book that was well-written and as complete as possible, but foremost I was looking forward to a modern book on veterinary homeopathy written by professionals for professionals — and I have got it.

Although the book is written as 'an introduction to homeopathic medicine for veterinary surgeons' I think that it is capable of giving valuable information to even the trained and experienced veterinary homeopath. It is well written, and built up very logically. Every chapter starts 'from the beginning', covering every aspect of the subject in an easy and comprehensible way, even for the untrained.

The constant comparison to and verification against conventional medicine is striking and works very well to explain the meaning of the different subjects in homeopathy. Also (very bravely) the authors take up the subject of vaccination and its relation to the vital force and disease.

As already mentioned, I had been expecting this book for a long time and let me say that my expectations have been more than fulfilled. It will benefit future students of homeopathy, and certainly practising veterinary homeopaths as well. We can never call ourselves fully educated in homeopathy, and the study continues.

This book will stand proud on any veterinary homeopath's shelf reminding us about just that!

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Contents

Preface -- iii

Part I: The Theory
The History of Homeopathy -- 1
Research into Homeopathy -- 14
The Remedies -- 28
The Disease: General Considerations -- 41
The Disease: Manifestations of Disease -- 48
Obtaining the Symptoms -- 57
Matching the Symptoms -- 73
Practical Prescribing -- 87
Constitutional Prescribing -- 104
Obstacles to Cure -- 116
Miasms and Their Role in Disease -- 123
Isopathy and the Use of Nosodes -- 138
The Bowel Nosodes -- 147
Vaccination - The Homeopathic Perspective -- 163

Part II: The Practice
Introduction to Part II -- 180
Surgery and First Aid -- 186
The Upper Respiratory System -- 193
The Lower Respiratory System -- 199
The Digestive System -- 205
The Stomach and Liver -- 211
The Urinary System -- 216
The Female Genital System -- 222
The Male Genital System -- 231
The Musculoskeletal System -- 236
The Nervous System -- 242
The Cardiovascular System -- 249
The Endocrine System -- 255
The Skin -- 261
Behavioral Problems -- 270
The Geriatric Patient -- 278
The Homeopathic Approach to Neoplasia -- 285

General Bibliography -- 292
Glossary -- 294
Useful Addresses and Contact Points -- 297
Index -- 302

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