1st September 2001

Towards a new European Foot and Mouth Strategy

This proposal from the Biodynamic Agricultural Association (UK) is supported by Biodynamic Organisations across Europe. More than three million healthy livestock have been slaughtered in the UK as the result of pursuing an eradication policy introduced nearly a hundred years ago. The consequences for British agriculture and potentially for Europe as a whole are devastating. Along with many other organisations the BDAA has been calling for emergency vaccination as a means to control its spread but to no avail. We believe that the time has now come for a full and detailed review of the current reliance on culling as a means to stamp out Foot and Mouth Disease in Europe. (We are also calling for a full and independent public enquiry into the handling of the present outbreak by the UK authorities). It is vital that new and effective ways are found now for dealing with the disease in future. It needs also to be borne in mind that virtually no progress has been made towards finding a cure for FMD (in the UK at least) for a generation! With the issues of sustainability, the environment and rural development increasingly taking centre stage in the European Union, the following proposal is intended as a contribution for opening up a wide ranging debate on the subject. We trust that it will be taken up as a positive proposal for the future.

From Disease Free Status to Disease Resistant Stock

A strategy for dealing with Foot and Mouth Disease must place animal welfare and sustainability at the top of the agenda. FMD along with BSE and other animal diseases has appeared in its current virulent form as a direct result of intensive industrial farming methods. (1)(2) There have been thirty outbreaks in the UK since the Second World War and although most of them have been limited in extent, possible infection has never been far away. (3) The century old reliance on culling as a control method is increasingly ineffective and we must begin to address the real challenges presented by the disease. (3) Based on the principle that prevention is always better than cure, the following contribution is offered towards developing an effective European control strategy. 1. Increase immunity to the disease by encouraging the development of a system of sustainable farming in which the connection between livestock and the farm to which they belong, is made as strong as possible by ensuring that: - As much of the animals feed requirements as possible are sourced from within the farm. - Animal feedstuffs, manures and fertilisers bought in from elsewhere, are kept to a minimum. - High quality home-produced feedstuffs are produced in such a way as to ensure that a virtuous circle of increasing soil fertility is achieved. - Stockbreeding is undertaken with the goal of achieving a robust and resistant constitution. - Efforts are made to breed closed flocks and herds which, are as acclimatised and identified to the farm as possible. (Appendix A) A self-contained organism is the best guarantee of disease resistance in plants and animals.(4) 2. Rectify any natural or man-made environmental imbalances as may occur by: 1

Addressing inadequate housing. Fresh air, sunlight, clean bedding and a draft-free environment as well as adequate exercise are important. Using carefully selected herbs and mineral feed supplements. (4) A good balance of minerals enhances resistance. (Appendix B) Minimising stress among livestock. Stress is now shown to be a large factor in reducing immunity. Creating a diverse and ecologically balanced landscape to provide the conditions for optimising biodiversity. This in turn will increase resistance to disease and provide the necessary checks and balances for ensuring that any problems arising are kept under control. Cultivating a sense of overall wellbeing and contentment on the farm.(Appendix A)

3. Minimise the risk of infection from Foot and Mouth Disease when an outbreak threatens by: - Encouraging the use of well-tried herbal and homeopathic preventatives. (Appendix B) - Implementing sensible isolation procedures and observing common sense hygiene rules, eg. by banning animal movements in infected areas, using biodegradable disinfectants such as citric acid and observing other simple biosecurity measures. - Avoiding unnecessary animal transportation by ensuring the availability of local markets and abattoirs. 4. Encourage the development natural immunity by allowing early contact with the disease. Young animals will then develop antibodies and increase their immunity to infection. This traditional approach was very successful in Europe in the years before eradication became the preferred approach to FMD (Appendix C). 5. Permit farmers to treat infected animals under the guidance of a vet and nurse them back to health by: - Using available and effective herbal treatments, homeopathic remedies and nosodes. This will build up resistance and render subsequent infection in the herd or flock relatively harmless. Both vaccination and culling would then be unnecessary. (Appendix D) 6. Undertake and encourage further research into the unique and promising Coffea Preparation developed during the 1920`s. Initial trials by Dr. Eugen Kolisko, an early pioneer of Biodynamic and medical research, showed it to be highly effective. (Appendix E) 7. Vaccination Voluntary protective vaccination must always be there as an option for farmers. (5) Although no cure for the disease, it provides an important tool for controlling its spread and as in the current outbreak, offers a meaningful alternative to the hundred-year old slaughter policy, (3)(6) which is inflicting so much damage on the farming community today. Compulsory prophylactic immunisation however should be avoided and has no place in this strategy. (7) 8. Human Rights The re-empowerment of farmers is essential for the future of agriculture. For too long responsibility for providing sufficiency of food supplies and the maintenance of a viable rural economy has been transferred to government departments. It is fundamental that responsibility for the health and wellbeing of livestock should remain with the farmer and his veterinary advisors. No central authority should have the right to intervene unless there is evidence of serious livestock mistreatment or if public health is at risk. Economic considerations alone should not dictate such an infringement of human rights. When regional or national measures do 2

become necessary (as when seriously life threatening or human disease epidemics are concerned), it is essential that all farming groups and other stakeholders are consulted and that a common policy is agreed.(8) 9. Trading issues The economic arguments for the cull policy are seriously flawed (9) and the export trade as it is currently pursued is in any case highly questionable (Britain imports 125,000 tons of lamb while exporting 102,000 tons)(10). Even more worrying is the apparent de facto use of culling as a means for reducing the number of small farmers. An attempt at eradicating citrus canker in Brazil resulted in wiping out thousands of small orchards and tree nurseries, destroying the livelihood of smallholders and leaving the field open to the big producers. (11) Instead of disease free status, the aim should be for natural resistance especially since FMD poses no threat to human health. By encouraging the development of sustainable agriculture and the supply of local food to local markets, new priorities and a new relationship to the earth, the environment and towards self-reliance will be facilitated. (12)(13)(15)

Concrete Proposals for Reform

1. In order to create the context in which to enhance vitality and breed disease resistance in livestock, we urge you to build on the opportunities offered by the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy, and continue with reforms aimed at encouraging sustainable, local-market orientated, organic agricultural systems throughout Europe. 2. In order to increase the options available for dealing with FMD we urge you to commission research: a) into the Coffea Preparation (Appendix E) b) into the use of homeopathic treatments as currently practised in various parts of the world (Appendix D) 3. In order to involve farmers and vets in the search for new (as well as discarded yet successful) treatments, we urge you to ease the regulatory framework concerning the control of FMD and propose the following amendments to existing European legislation. Reform of Council Directives 85/511/EEC as amended by 90/423/EEC Article 8 Parag.4 (New!) Where livestock keepers have the possibility and the veterinary assistance to enable them to prevent infection, build up resistance, and/or to treat symptoms of FMD, using homeopathic and other less familiar treatments, they shall be permitted to do so. Article 13, parag. 1 Be changed to read: Member States shall ensure that: - the voluntary use of FMD vaccines is permitted. Supported by:
Biodynamic Agricultural Association, UK Agricultural Department of the Natural Science Section at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland Forschungsring fr Biologisch-Dynamische Wirtschaftsweise, Germany Asociacin De Agricultura Biodinamica, Spain Verin fir Biologesch-Dynamesch Landwirtschaft, Luxembourg Vereniging voor Biologisch Dynamische Landbow, Holland Movement de Culture Bio-dynamique, France

Biologisk-Dynamisk Forening, Norway Biodyaaminen Yhdistys Biodynamiska Freningen, Finland

References: 1. Unholy Mess by Vandana Shiva (Guardian Society April 4th 2001) 2. Farming and Gardening for Health or Disease by Sir Albert Howard, published by Faber and Faber 1955 3. Foot and Mouth Disease An evaluation of the current control policy from a historical perspective by Abigail Woods PhD student at Manchester University 4. Laws of Life in Agriculture by N. Remer published BDF&G Association 1995 5. A Strategy for the use of emergency vaccination as an additional control measure in the control of FMD in the UK by Elm Farm Research Centre April 2nd 2001 6. FMD in the UK Problems with the current policy and the feasibility of alternatives by Dr Keith Sumption PhD 7. Die MKS Imfung: Nutzen, Risiko oder ein Rezept gegen unsere Menschliche Angst (FMD Vaccine: Useful, risky, or a recipe against fear?) by Antje Fimmen, Homeopathic Vet, Wangerland, Germany. 8. The Animal Health Act 1981 by Stephen Tromans (Barrister), Elm Farm Research Centre. Legal advice to farmers by John Gouriet, Sheepdrove Farm 9. Foot and Mouth Outbreak: Economic arguments against an extended cull by Peter Midmore, University of Wales 10. The Crazy Logic of the Continental Food Swap by Caroline Lucas MEP, Independent on Sunday 25th March 2001 and The Great Food SwapRe-localising Europes Food Supply by Caroline Lucas MEP March 2001 11. Killing off Small Farms In Brazil by Teddy Goldsmith, Ecologist Report June 2001 12. Farms of Tomorrow by T Groh and SH Mc Fadden published 1990 BDF&G Association. 13. Global Problems, Local Solutions by Wendell Berry, Resurgence June 2001 14. Community Legislation in force, Document 385L0511Council Directive 85/511EEC and Document 390L0423Council Directive 90/423/EEC http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex 15. FMD control and international trade by Dr. Paul Sutmoller In Search of Truth conference held 13th June 2001

APPENDIX A Sustainable (Biodynamic) Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture as promoted by the Biodynamic Movement recognises each farm entity to be a living organism within that of the whole earth. Just as the skin of a human or animal organism forms a boundary of transition towards the world around it, so too can the skin-like, geographical boundary of a farm be visualised as containing a living organism within it. Though initially such an idea may seem remote, it has far-reaching practical consequences for the way in which a farms internal economy is managed. The geographical boundary, regardless of the acreage contained within it, provides the necessary limitations within which the life of the farm can be enhanced and long-term fertility maintained. It then becomes a matter of vital importance for this developing farm organism to rely as far as possible on its own resources to build up fertility and nourish its livestock. From this it follows, that each farm will be able to maintain just that amount of livestock, which its productive capacity (cereal and roughage crops, grassland etc.) can provide. This strong internal cycle plant

soil

animal

provides the key for developing a well balanced farm and healthy resilient livestock. It also ensures that cattle and sheep etc are fully in tune with and can thrive on what their specific farm (organism) can offer. The breeding of livestock also accords with this principle. Apart from periodically bringing in male animals to avoid degenerative in-breeding, the achievement of closed herds and flocks is an important goal for livestock breeders. Not only do these animals become fine-tuned to their farm, they also form close knit herds and flocks in which internal stress is minimised and overall group contentment enhanced. This farm organism is embedded in the natural environment of the district and it is vital that due attention is paid to the health of the wider landscape. The intimate relationship between woodland, hedgerows, wetlands, meadows and hillsides etc. needs to be considered and are vital for ensuring stable and well balanced biodiversity. This in turn strengthens the health and resilience of the entire living entity of the farm and does much to reduce outbreaks of disease in both plant and animal.. All farmyard manures, slurry and vegetable wastes are carefully composted and then spread on the fields and pastures as required, thereby increasing living activity in the soil. To assist this composting process and to enable plants to gain access to what they need from the soil, use is made of the so called Biodynamic Preparations These specially prepared natural and organic substances serve to enhance and regulate plant growth and soil life. They also help the farm organism as a whole to balance out and replenish any mineral or soil nutrient deficiencies as may occur. By using these Preparations intensively, the overall life and vigour of the farm can be strengthened and the disease resistance of its livestock increased. Balanced and healthy, humus rich soil not only serves to create the fertile medium from which high quality crops can be harvested, it also provides the foundation for long term plant and animal health.

Note: Biodynamic Agriculture developed during the early part of the 20th Century as a result of a series of inspiring lectures given by Rudolf Steiner to a group of Middle European farmers. Guided by a holistic and spiritual understanding of nature and the human beings role within it, he inaugurated a movement which now, more than 75 years later, has become a leading example of sustainable and organic agriculture in more than 40 countries across the world. Produce grown biodynamically is recognised world wide, by the Demeter symbol. In Europe it is recognised as one of the leading organic certification symbols.

References Agriculture a course of lectures by Rudolf Steiner published by The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association Inc. 1993. Biodynamic Farming Practice by Sattler and Wistinghausen published by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association (BDAA) 1992. Laws of Life in Agriculture by N. Remer published by the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association Inc. 1995. Further information is available from the Biodynamic Agricultural Association, Painswick Inn Project, Gloucester Street, Stroud GL5 1QG. Website: www.anth.org.uk/biodynamic or from Biodynamic organisations based in most countries of Europe.

APPENDIX B Herbal and homeopathic preventatives effectively used against infection.

Borax c30 Borax is recommended by homeopathic practitioners as the chief non-biological prophylactic remedy in the control of Foot and Mouth Disease. This has been well documented in various outbreaks and is of great value when used properly. (1) The homeopathic use of borax to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease does not confer immunity but reduces susceptibility to infection. It also cannot mask symptoms of the disease nor does it induce the formation of antibodies. Immunity can in fact only be conferred on an animal via vaccination, a previous or simulated infection, or by enhancing its natural resistance within a sustainable farming context. (Appendix A). (2) Its effectiveness as a treatment for other diseases with similar symptoms such as mucosal disease, indicates why it can be used as an FMD preventative: This salt produces gastro-intestinal irritation with mouth symptoms of salivation and ulceration. With most complaints there is fear of downward motion. The specific action of this substance on the epithelium of the mouth, tongue and buccal mucosa determines its use as a remedy, which will control such conditions as vesicular stomatis and allied diseases (mucosal disease). (3) When used as an FMD preventative, 5 ml Borax c30 is added to the drinking water trough (10 drops per 30 gallons) daily for three days and then twice weekly for the duration of the outbreak. Available from: Ainsworths, London and other homeopathic medicine suppliers. Biolitan Based on carefully selected herbs from across the world, this product is being marketed as an effective way to strengthen the immune system and therefore increase resistance to FMD. It has been clinically tested at a university in Holland where it was found significantly to increase immunity in pigs, sheep and cattle. The effective herbs in Biolitan are garlic, Russian Ginseng and Milk Thistle fruit (to improve digestion and general condition); Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea), Walnut, Cats Claw and Heartsease (to increase resistance and overcome stress). Available from: Hyperperformance BV, Derbyshire. Onions and Lemons When hung up in the cow shed, onions have been found to ward off infection. Weeping and saliva formation, keep the glands of the head active. Adding onions and lemons to the feed rations has been found helpful, presumably due to the stimulation of mucus and tear flow. A specific remedy from formic acid formulations used to be used and released as steam vapours among the stock. (Information from a BD Consultant in Germany). References: (1) A veterinary Materia Medica by George Macleod. Published: CW Daniel Company Ltd (1983) (2) Statement of the current position of the Homeopathic Medical Association concerning Borax April 2001 (3) The Treatment of Cattle by Homeopathy by George Macleod. Published : CW Daniel Company Ltd. (1981)

APPENDIX C Developing immunity to the FMD virus

1. Towards the end of his life Louis Pasteur said that he believed the physiological condition of the organism, its internal equilibrium and the environmental influences effecting it were far more important than the presence of particular microbes. Le microbe nest rien, le terrain est tout (1) 2. Sir Albert Howard working in India during the 1920s experienced how important healthy humus-rich soil is for plant and animal health. In his book Farming & Gardening for Health or Disease he showed how, through caring for livestock in the best possible way, providing them with healthy, natural food grown on the farm and without using any artificial fertilisers, his animals could be resistant to many of the prevalent diseases including Foot and Mouth. Indeed, so convinced was he of their resilience and health that he allowed his animals to come into contact with infected animals and contaminated pasture. This experiment was repeated 13 years running during which time none of his animals became infected. In his own words This long experience of Foot and Mouth suggests that an important factor in the prevention of animal disease is food from humus filled soil. (3)(4) 3. To develop resistance to all kinds of bacterial and viral infections, animal and human organisms need to have early contact with the disease. New comers to an area soon succumb to prevalent ailments. Only when resistance is built up through daily contact with the microbe concerned do they become immune. (1) It has also been shown that when young children are in direct contact with the poliovirus, their immunity in later life is enhanced (1) (2). The same is true for other ailments including childhood illnesses and even malaria. Before the treatment of FMD was prohibited in Europe, it was common practice to deliberately feed the cud of an infected animal to the rest of the herd. This had the effect of transferring to the rest of the herd, the antibodies, which had been produced by the infected animal and so enable wider infection to be resisted. A similar practice is still followed by the Masai people in Kenya. (Appendix D) Reference: (1)Man adapting by Ren Dubos - published by Longmans (1962) (2) Unhygienic or Just Small Scale by Teddy Goldsmith, Ecologist review June 2001 (3) Farming and Gardening for Health or Disease by Sir Albert Howard, published by Faber & Faber 1955 (4) An Agricultural Testament by Sir Albert Howard published by Oxford University Press 1940

APPENDIX D Effective herbal, homeopathic and other remedies that have been used to treat Foot and Mouth Disease.
Although the treatment of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is prohibited in Britain and has been for the best part of a hundred years, a number of well tried and effective natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies, are used regularly in those parts of the world where the disease is recognised as being endemic. All disease is curable; only sometimes the patients themselves are incurable, because they have not the will power or perhaps the intelligence to carry out the often lengthy and arduous natural treatments. In the case of animals, likewise all disease is curable, but sometimes the animal dies because the owner has not the perseverance or intelligence to follow the natural herbal treatments. Juliette de Bairacli Levy (1) 1. In India where eradication could never be considered as an option, homeopathic vets have made use of a whole range of remedies to cure the disease. BP Madrewa, one of Indias leading homeopathic vets who has successfully treated FMD for the last thirty years, describes a range of homeopathic remedies which he has used, in his book Therapeutics of veterinary medicine (2) The following is an extract: 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) 2. 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 Biodynamic consultant) 3. In the Pocket Book of Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine, the following recommendations are given.(3) Treatment The principal remedies are Arsenicum, Belladonna and Mercurius Arsenicum As soon as the symptoms of dullness, impaired appetite, and the unthrifty appearance of the skin are perceived, give ten drops in a few spoonfuls of water, or two grains, every three hours. If administered carefully, this remedy may alone effect a cure Belladonna - If the eyes are dim and watery, the udder painful, hot or swollen, and the hoof burning and sensitive to the touch give the remedy the same as directed under Aresenicum. Mercurius If the disease has attained a more advanced stage and is marked by the extreme symptoms before described, such as bursting of the blisters, the formation of deep and ragged ulcers, the discharge of stringy, slimy blood matter, swollen face etc, give two-grain doses of the trituration every four hours. Accessory Measures The animal should be kept housed in a quiet stall, with plenty of fresh air of a moderate temperature, abundance of soft straw, as much water as it wants and sufficient soft food such as milk, meal and water, boiled grain, mash or bran. The feet and hooves should be occasionally boiled with warm water. When the udder is infected it should be frequently stripped of its contents. 10

Preventative Treatment: - In all cases, an affected animal must be completely separated from all others and if the disease has far advanced before treatment is commenced, it is often better to kill it at once and to bury the carcass deep in the earth. Schaffer states, that in the north of Germany, the matter which flows from the nose of an infected animal has been used for the purpose of inoculating healthy animals, by which means the disease is said either to have been moderated or prevented. 4. In a multi-locational study over 5 years, 566 cases of Foot and Mouth Disease that failed to respond to allopathic treatment after three days showed a 66% recovery rate when treated homoeopathically. The recovery rates following homeopathic treatment of 15 other common diseases, all based on 10 cases or more are reported. It is concluded that homeopathy has potential for the treatment of animal diseases and that its monitored use should be encouraged.(4) Note: A further example of successful homeopathic treatment recently came to light in the UK. A prize-winning bull tested positive to tuberculosis. As a result it was due to be Slaughtered. After prolonged negotiations homeopathic treatment was allowed and a Complete recovery was achievedmuch to the surprise of Ministry of Agriculture Officials!(7) 5. In Kenya FMD is a regular occurrence: Foot and Mouth has been endemic in Kenyan cattle herds for as long as anyone can remember. But the discovery of a fresh outbreak does not see hordes of panicked herders calling in the men in white suits. Instead they set about the quiet process of nursing their animals back to health. Herbs are extracted from tree barks and plants then diluted with water and fed to affected cattle. Foot and Mouth sores are treated with cold ash, then sealed with cow dung to prevent the flies spreading the virus. If there is a fast flowing stream nearby the herd is marched through it (5) Another recommendation from the Masai is: When we see the blisters between the hooves or on the mouth we rub cows urine on the area. We collect the urine from a whole herd and use it as a strong disinfectant. If that does not work we rub salt on to the area which is a powerful cleanser (6)

References: (1) The Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Juliette de Bairacli Levy, published by Faber and Faber (2) Therapeutics of Veterinary Medicine by BP Madrewa, published :B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi (3) The Pocket Book of Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine, published 1983 B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi. (4) Use of Homeopathic Drugs in the Treatment of Animal Diseases Proceedings of an international seminar Integrated Approach to Animal Health Care, held at Kozhikode, India February 1999. (5) TB or not TB? Is homeopathy the Answer? by Lorna Howarth. Resurgence No.207 July/August 2001. (6) Slaughter for a Disease that is so Very Easy to Cure? These Europeans must be vey foolish by Declan Walsh reprinted Independent April 6th 2001, from the African Times (7) Masai have a cure and are happy to share it by Tim Butcher, Daily Telegraph April 3rd 2001. 11

APPENDIX E The Coffea Preparation

During the course of many years extensive research into the nature and treatment of Foot and Mouth Disease, Eugen and Lilly Kolisko, early pioneers of biodynamic agriculture, medicine and education, developed a comprehensive understanding of it. In the picture of FMD described by them, the observation is made that as the animal sickens, an increasing separation takes place between the nervous system and sensory functions of the animal and the rest of the organism. The senses grow dull, mouth and hooves develop sores and a short-lived fever develops. In acute cases the fever recurs some days later leading either to full recovery or to a terminal condition. At this secondary stage it is the heart, which comes under severe strain as it tries to regain a balanced relationship between the nerve-sense and metabolic systems of the organism. On the basis of this illness picture, (described in great detail in Agriculture of Tomorrow) Eugen and Lilly Kolisko followed Rudolf Steiners indications, and investigated the coffee plant as a potential remedy and eventually developed the Coffea Preparation. Careful observation of the coffee plant and in particular its seed revealed qualitative properties bearing a certain resemblance to and at the same time showing effects on the organism which worked counter to the symptoms of FMD described above. In his research paper Kolisko describes the effects of coffee as follows: The effect of coffee is exceedingly characteristic. It shows itself especially in the influence on the brain. Small quantities have a stimulating effect. Our senses become more acute. We find it easier to link together thought with thought. Coffee induces in us a kind of automatic logic, enabling us to think in this way without much effort. Increased sensibility of sight, hearing and touch, a powerlessness to check the quick rise of successive thoughts, shining eyes, a hot head, redness in the face and a feeling as though ones head is to small for one. Thus an excellent observer describes the effects of coffee on the human being. Larger quantities as is well known, give rise to congestion in the head, sleeplessness and migrainelike conditions. Coffee indeed gives rise to cerebral hyperaemia, accompanied by palpitations and quickening of the pulse. Under the influence of excessive coffee, we live with the whole force of our consciousness in the nerves-and-senses system of the head. The cerebral circulation is increased to the utmost. These properties of coffee can therefore provide a means for redressing the physiological imbalance apparent in an animal showing the symptoms of FMD. By stimulating its nerve-sense system using a carefully prepared coffea remedy, the pathological tendency of it to separate off from the rest of the organism under the influence of the disease (see above), can be overcome and a cure found. Preparing the remedy involved carefully roasting the coffee beans until a very specific state was reached. Finding the exact moment was vital for its efficacy. It was then refined and prepared for use as an intravenous injection. Extensive trials undertaken in Germany during the 1920s, indicated a high degree of success, with a significant number of infected animals thus treated subsequently regaining full productivity. Research however was discontinued when widespread implementation of the slaughter policy was adopted. Initial trials also indicated promising results for its prophylactic use although with the necessity for repeated intravenous applications, it proved extremely time consuming, especially where large herds were concerned.

12

It is vital that further research into this promising treatment is undertaken. It could then become a viable alternative not only to the cull policy but also to vaccination. References: Foot and Mouth Disease Its Nature and Treatment by Dr. Eugen Kolisko and included in the book Agriculture of Tomorrow published in 1978 by the Kolisko Archive (currently available as a separate booklet)

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