Homeopathy For a Changing World: Is there a Remedy for Bioterrorism?
October 9, 2006
by
Todd A. Hoover MD
History of Bioterrorism
Even though bioterrorism appears to be new to the world, nothing could be further
from the truth. The origins of biological warfare can be traced back to 600
B.C., when Assyrian soldiers poisoned enemy wells using Rye Ergot toxin.
Later in 1346, Tartars reportedly hurled the corpses of plague victims into
the enemy camp at the Siege of Kaffa. In America, the first recorded use
of biological weapons was when the British Army gave blankets from the beds
of Smallpox victims to Native Americans in the 1600s.
Modern experimentation with biological weapons began with German development
of Anthrax during WWII. American and Soviet facilities quickly expanded this
technological development during the Cold War until the 1972 Convention on
the Prohibition of Biological Weapons and Toxins was declared.
Risk of Bioterrorism Today
Over the past 30 years, governments and fringe groups alike have demonstrated
the willingness to use biological weapons. In the 1970s, there were numerous
reports of "Yellow Rain," a suspected Mycotoxin, being dispersed
from aircraft in Cambodia and Afghanistan. In 1984, the Rajneesh cult contaminated
salad bars in Oregon with Salmonella to influence local elections. Over 700
people became ill. During the recent Gulf War, Iraq deployed weapons including
19,000 liters of Botulinum Toxin and 8,500 liters of Anthrax. The Cult group,
Aum Shrinrikyo, responsible for the Tokyo subway Sarin Gas incident, was
to have sent members to Zaire in the hope of obtaining samples of Ebola Virus.
And in the past few weeks we have seen Anthrax cases emerge in waves throughout
the Eastern United States.
Access to these weapons of mass destruction was once limited to very few.
In the past two decades the number of countries working on offensive biological
weapons has increased dramatically. There is significant concern that former
Soviet bio-weapons experts may be vulnerable to financial enticement from nations
interested in developing biological agents. The Vector facility in the former
Soviet Union was once a 30-building, 4000-employee, high-security bio-weapons
research facility with an elite guard force. An inspector in 1997 reported
that the facility was only half occupied and protected by a handful of guards
that had not been paid for months. The number of countries engaged in biological
weapons experimentation has grown from 4 in the 1960s to 11 in the 1990s. And
in our age of unlimited access to information, recipes for the development
of biological weapons can even be obtained over the Internet free of charge.
Morality, which has been a useful deterrent to the use of such weapons in the
past, appears to have questionable effect on small fringe groups who have demonstrated
the capability and willingness to use biological agents with potentially far
reaching effects.
The Weapons
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Bioterrorism Readiness Plan for Healthcare
Facilities published in April 1999 lists four agents that have a high potential
for use in our current situation: Anthrax, Plague, Botulism Toxin, and Smallpox.
Other agents include Tularemia, Q Fever, Brucellosis, Ebola and Marburg viruses,
and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B.
Anthrax has become a commonplace word in the news today. Previously a predominantly
cutaneous disease of goat hide workers, the current form favors the more aggressive
respiratory form that results in much higher death rates from pulmonary collapse.
The best current data on a large-scale release comes from Sverdlovsk in Russia.
In 1979, an accidental release of Anthrax on a single day from a bio-weapons
facility spread over a four-kilometer area. At least 77 people were infected
and 66 patients died of confirmed disease. The cases reported during this accidental
release stopped occurring after 43 days, suggesting that person-to-person spread
is highly improbable.
Plague is a bacterial disease generally transmitted by fleas from rats. Plague
still occurs in the U.S., but has a very low frequency of natural occurrence.
The bubonic form is generally more common and not easily spread from person-to-person.
A pneumonic version, however, could lead to rapid and epidemic spread through
a population.
Botulism is a toxin that is 100,000 times more potent than Sarin Gas. Botulism
quickly causes paralysis and death. The effects of this toxin are limited to
the people who are directly exposed, and there is no infectious spread of disease.
Smallpox is a virus that has a history of devastating entire populations across
many sections of the globe. Some of the most recent cases were reported in
1970 in Germany. A single case, isolated from the first day they were admitted
to the hospital, led to 19 subsequent infections in that hospital. These infections
occurred despite the mass immunization of 100,000 people in an already well-vaccinated
population. In 1972, Yugoslavia had one patient that was diagnosed late into
the course of the illness. One million people were revaccinated and 10,000
people were quarantined for 16 days. Despite these measures, 175 people developed
Smallpox and 35 people died. Immunization for Smallpox was stopped in the U.S.
in 1972. It is estimated that only 10-15% of the U.S. population is currently
immune to the disease.
The Public Health Response
The CDC and other public health agencies take a measured, stepwise approach
to epidemic disease. The rationale is based upon an overall risk assessment
of the biological agent in question, with containment of an epidemic as an
overarching priority. The current response to Anthrax cases has been a methodical
testing of individuals and high risk environments to establish the extent
of exposure, combined with prophylactic antibiotic treatment of any individuals
considered to be at high risk based on testing results. Since the risk of
developing Anthrax still remains exceedingly low, and there is no evidence
for person-to-person spread of the disease, antibiotics will be recommended
on a voluntary-use basis.
If, however, a potentially epidemic agent (Smallpox, Plague, Ebola virus,
etc.) enters a population, I believe the response would be quite different.
As in Germany and in Yugoslavia, these epidemic agents require massive quarantine
and containment efforts. In this type of scenario, it is probable that antibiotic
therapy and/or vaccination will be required for any individual exposed. Because
of the high level of contagion (reaching near 100% for Smallpox), public health
concerns may override individual freedom of choice. The last epidemic of this
type in the U.S. was the Spanish Influenza of 1918. In certain areas of the
country, laws were established to require citizens to wear masks. With the
medical community so thoroughly entrenched within the government, I believe
the power to quarantine and completely control medical treatment would be much
more far reaching at this time.
The Homeopathic Legacy
Homeopathy has a rich history of experience with epidemics over the past 200
years. Some of the highlights include Hahnemann's widely acclaimed use of
Belladonna during Scarlet Fever outbreaks, Hering's success treating Cholera
victims in Europe, and Dr. Eaton's reports of preventing Smallpox. While
this data is strong support for the effectiveness of homeopathy in epidemic
disease, it is not enough.
When we look at the actual studies of homeopathic medicines given for epidemic
diseases, we see a more mixed picture. Only several such studies exist. One
report of homeopathic remedies used to prevent Influenza in Britain in 1958
showed no effect from the remedies. In 1974 in Brazil, however, a large study
on Meningitis showed that the homeopathic remedy was much more effective than
no treatment at all. The best-constructed study to date was preformed by Dr.
Wayne Jonas using Tularemia infected mice. He demonstrated a 22% survival rate
for the homeopathic medicine. While this study showed a clear effect from the
homeopathic medicine, the improvement was significantly less than the 100%
protection provided by vaccination in the same study. For more information,
you may wish to obtain a recent article I have written for the Autumn issue
of the Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy that goes into much
more detail regarding the probable mechanisms and clinical usefulness of homeopathic
remedies as prophylactics. [See the AIH website, www.homeopathyusa.org, for
journal subscription and single issue rates.]
A Practical Approach for Today
Many people have asked me if they should take homeopathic medicines to be prepared
for a potential epidemic. Usually, they are hoping for a very simple answer
like: "Just get this list of remedies and take them." While that
would be wonderful, I believe the experienced homeopaths of the past would
roll over in their graves. When Hahnemann, Hering, and others approached
an epidemic, it took careful case-taking and analysis of multiple patients
to arrive at the most useful remedy for the general population. Many have
suggested that simply taking the nosode, or homeopathically prepared disease
organism, should provide protection enough for any outbreak. It is clear
from Dr. Jonas's work and others that this is simply not true.
Moreover, if there is truly an epidemic, health and law enforcement authorities
will most likely dictate what form of treatment you will be required to undergo.
I believe the more pertinent question to ask would be, "Can homeopathy
help lower my risk of becoming infected?" and "Can homeopathy help
treat or prevent some of the severe side effects seen with treatments like
Smallpox vaccination?"
In the current Anthrax crises in the U.S., the situation is actually not an
epidemic. These cases represent single episodes of exposure to the same organism.
True epidemics that sweep through a population require person-to-person spread.
Similarly, the homeopathic treatment for Anthrax would be selected purely on
a case-by-case basis in a traditional homeopathic manner.
If an epidemic disease does occur, one of the most vital functions of the
homeopathic medical community will be to coordinate prescribers to choose a
single remedy, or group of remedies, that best fit the particular nature of
the epidemic. The selection of the correct remedy(s) is not as simple as using
Franciscella tularensis nosode for Tularemia or Variolinum for Smallpox. For
example, at least 12 different homeopathic remedies have historically been
found useful for the prevention of Smallpox. Careful observation of multiple
cases of the disease in question, as it affects individuals of various constitutions,
will lead to a remedy that reflects the nature of that particular epidemic,
at that particular time in history. After the selection of these "Genus
Epidemicus" remedies, appropriate dosing schedules following a model based
on the experience of homeopathic provings should be established. Past experience
of provings and prior use of homeopathic prophylaxis would suggest that a low
potency repeated in one to two-week intervals would be the correct approach.
The second most important role of the homeopathic medical community will be
to help treat or prevent the serious side effects associated with mass vaccination
that may be mandated for these diseases. Although Plague and Anthrax vaccines
have been associated with both local and general reactions, these side effects
tend to be transient compared to the syndrome that follows Smallpox vaccination.
Smallpox vaccination was stopped in 1971, due to global eradication of the
disease, and the severe side effects sometimes seen in the Vaccinia syndrome
that follows for some individuals.
Vaccinia Syndrome
Vaccinia develops after inoculation for Smallpox in approximately 240 out of
1 million patients during primary inoculation, and only 9 out of 1 million
during booster doses. An initial eruption over different parts of the body
resembles smallpox with papules that turn to vesicles that turn to pustules
after five to ten days. Fever, malaise and flu-like symptoms may accompany
the rash. Swelling of the axillary glands is frequently present. Some patients
become progressively ill with sepsis and occasionally meningitis. Individuals
with a history of eczema are at higher risk for developing a milder form
of Vaccinia, while those with immunodeficiency diseases like AIDS are at
increased risk of developing the severe form of this disease.
During mass vaccinations for Smallpox in the past, homeopaths were somewhat
divided on how best to deal with the consequences of Vaccinia. While some promoted
routine use of remedies before vaccination, others suggested only treating
those who developed symptoms. Some of the remedies that have been most often
used to treat Vaccinia are described below.
Thuja occidentalis has been the most frequently prescribed and most highly
touted remedy for patients with Vaccinia. On an interesting side note, I once
worked with a physician who would inoculate patients with Smallpox vaccine
to treat plantar warts: a condition that Thuja occidentalis has proved useful
in treating. Thuja occidentalis is useful for diseases that result from a suppressed
eruption, or from suppression of the immune system. The eruptions may be papular,
vesicular, or pustular. In patients who develop any chronic effects after Vaccinia,
such as weakness, fatigue, growths of tumors or infections, Thuja occidentalis
should be strongly considered.
Antimonium tartaricum has been very useful for eruptions resembling Chicken
Pox. Dr. Arthur Grimmer even reports that when placed onto abraded skin in
the third trituation, it will produce a typical vaccination scar. Boericke
notes that the eruption may leave a bluish red mark after the pustule resolves.
Cough that is typically present in patients needing Antimonium tartaricum may
be absent during Vaccinia.
Silicea is a remedy that is complimentary to Thuja occidentalis. Silicea is
indicated for diseases that result from suppression of the individual by an
external force such as a vaccination. Enlargement of the glands and malaise
may be strong features. Pustules do not seem to progress and improve.
Belladonna is useful when the patient progresses toward sepsis or meningitis.
The fever is high and there may be delirium due to the effects on the brain.
These patients will most likely be in the intensive care unit and should only
be treated by a skilled homeopath.
Malandrinum has been mentioned as being the most potent treatment for the
septicemia or blood infection that sometimes follows Smallpox vaccination.
Variolinum has been suggested as the foremost treatment of both Smallpox and
Vaccinia, but there is only anecdotal evidence from a few prescribers to support
its use. No well-performed provings, or even the method by which this remedy
was produced, exists at this time. Without guiding symptoms, the selection
and use of a remedy like Variolinum can only be made on a purely empiric basis.
Homeopathic medicine has continued to exist because it is practiced according
to a scientific discipline. Once that discipline is abandoned, the results
of practice are unpredictable.
The Best Medicine
I hope I have been able to convey at least a small piece of the immense threat
that now looms over the world. We have entered a time when reasonable people
must confront a world with an unpredictable future. In the practice of homeopathy,
I have seen that external stresses are omnipresent and uncontrollable. Health
lies not in our ability to control what is outside of us, but in our desire
to love and thrive in relation to all aspects of life. Perhaps the best medicine
for this time in history will be open listening, inner fortitude, compassion
for all who suffer, and a sustained prayer for peace.
________________
References
Bioterrorism Readiness Plan: A Template for Healthcare Facilities; APIC Bioterrorism
Task Force, CDC Hospital Infections Program Bioterrorism Working Group; 13
April 1999.
Bioterrorism as a Public Health Threat; D.A. Henderson; Johns Hopkins University;
Emerging Infectious Diseases; Vol 4:3; Jul-Sep 1998.
Bioweapons and bioterrorism; JAMA 1997; 278:351-70, 389-436.
Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook; U.S. Army Medical Research;
Institute of Infectious Diseases; Fort Detrick, MD; September 1999.
Homeopathy in Epidemic Diseases; Dorothy Shepherd; The C.W. Daniel Company,
LTD; Essex, England; 1967.
The Collected Works of Arthur Hill Grimmer, MD; Ahmed N. Currim, PhD, MD,
Ed.; Hahnemann International Institute for Homeopathic Documentation; Norwalk,
CT; 1996.
