Few have the slightest conception how extensively and how beneficially homoeopathy has been applied to the treatment of disease of the lower animals.
Some idea may be gained from the following communications, the first by Dr. Luther, the second and third by Peter Stuart, Esq., and the fourth by Dr. Epps.
58, Stephen’s Green, Aug. 12, 1845.
MY DEAR NEWTON I most willingly comply with your request, to give you some information on the homoeopathic treatment of the present distemper among cattle. However, I shall shortly prepare a paper for the Irish Homoeopathic Society on the subject, in which you will find full information on the several points connected with it. This disorder has been treated with very marked success, in and near Dublin, by myself and several friends.
As you have had an opportunity of seeing a great number of cases, I need not describe the symptoms of the disorder, which, in the actual beginning of it, are exceedingly obscure, but cannot be mistaken in the later stages. They vary in almost every case, and it is only by collecting the symptoms of a great number that a complete knowledge of the disease can be obtained. The disorder itself is evidently pleuro-pneumonia of a malignant character. The result of my observations, as far as they go at present, is, by proper homoeopathic treatment, six out of ten head of cattle attacked by the disorder, can be saved and radically cured. Strictly speaking, each case requires an individual treatment, according to its peculiar manifestation in the diseased animal. The principal remedies from which I have seen good effects in the different cases, when properly applied, according to the symptoms of each, are Bryonia, Arsenic, Senega, Squilla, Tartar emetic, Rhus toxicodendron, Sulphuric acid, Vegetable charcoal, Lachesis, and Sulphur.
[Now to the treatment]. 1. It is of very great importance in this distemper to recognize it and treat it in its first stage, which, however, is very obscure and insidious, and scarcely shows itself in any other way than by a slight cough; in all other respects the animal appears as usual. Whenever distemper is in the neighbourhood. a slight cough to be at once attended to. The best medicine to check the progress of the disease is Bryonia.
2. When the disease enters the second stage, (frequently taken by the dairyman for the beginning of the disorder), which generally shows itself by difficult breathing, accompanied by a grunt, and short painful cough, loss of appetite, running from the mouth and nostrils, cessation or considerable diminution of the secretion of milk, the cow standing gathered up, not chewing the cud, &c., Arsenic is the best medicine to be given. I have frequently seen excellent effects from giving Arsenic and Bryonia alternately, changing the medicine every four days. The animal should be kept under a dry airy shed, its bed be very clean, and frequently renewed.
3. In this stage the animal has little or no appetite, and all food should be vigorously kept from her; she does not digest it, and it lies in the stomach like a foreign body, and only increases and protracts the disorder. I look upon the observance of this rule as a material point for final success. It is a radical, and frequently fatal mistaken, to force nourishment down the animal’s throat. A pail of fresh water should be kept within its reach; and if not drank, changed twice a day.
4. Once the disorder has reached the second stage, it is seldom perfectly cured under three or four week; the surest signs of returning health are return of the secretion of milk, of appetite, and rumination.
5. Bleeding and purging ought to be looked upon as highly injurious in this disorder, as they weaken the animal dreadfully, and favour the exudation of lymph and water, the consolidation and mortification of the lungs.
6. It is of great importance to be exceedingly cautious in giving food, particularly solid food, when the appetite returns; the stomach not having performed its habitual functions for weeks, the appetite exceeds the digestive powers, and if the animal be allowed to feed as it lists, it is very apt to have a relapse, which is difficult to master.
These are the few general rules I can give you for the present. It is a rough homoeopathic treatment, but will, even as such, be comparatively successful.
Yours, &c.
CHARLES W. LUTHER.
Ditton Lodge, near Warrington, Lancashire, Nov. 6, 1847.
