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Foot and mouth disease

Homoeopathic borax

From Professor W. C. Bowman, FRPharmS

If The Journal (March 24, p379) is even going to mention homoeopathic medicines (the antithesis of our teaching that response is proportional to a positive function of the dose) then surely the term must be redefined.

Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843), who invented the system, was of the opinion that the effects of drugs are potentiated by dilution (dilution, succussion, dilution and so on) to the extent that the presence of a single molecule in a given dose is unlikely. The 1 in 10⁶⁰ dilution recommended by Hahnemann would provide a solution such that there would be one molecule of drug in a volume of a sphere of circumference equal to that of the orbit of the planet Neptune. The “spiritual energy” (now pseudo-scientifically called the structured water molecules around where the drug molecules used to be) is said not only to retain but to implement the drug's efficacy.

If this is what The Journal means, then what is homoeopathic borax? Presumably the item on p379 concerning borax and foot and mouth disease must mean that the absence of borax, diluted out of existence from a solution that once contained it, has been considered and advocated by some for control of the foot and mouth disease epidemic, and that there is anecdotal evidence that it works.

Even though The Journal does not advocate its use, it is irresponsible to give it the credence of a mention.

I find it hard to believe that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, or at least its journal, writes about homoeopathic borax as if it has some meaning for its readers. Or has The Journal redefined the meaning of homoeopathy? If so why, and what is the new definition?

W. C. Bowman
Hamilton, Lanarkshire

Dr STEVEN KAYNE, who contributed the item, replies:

The statement concerning the use of homoeopathic borax did not imply that it was effective as a prophylactic for foot and mouth disease, merely that any requests for it should be directed to suitably qualified homoeopathic veterinary colleagues. It was issued in response to requests from pharmacists for some guidance on the matter following numerous enquiries from farmers.

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