Bio-Terrorism

Homeopathy has been around for more than 200 years - long before the advent of antibiotics. Historically, homeopathy has been used to treat many conditions including infectious diseases occurring in individuals and presenting as epidemics.

When an epidemic disease appeared, homeopaths would treat the condition based on the individual's signs and symptoms. After treating many cases, a skilled homeopathic physician could see the pattern of common symptoms emerge and would know what remedy or remedies were necessary to treat most cases of the epidemic. Once this remedy was identified it could be prescribed with confidence in that it would cure a large percentage of the cases. This type of remedy is called the epidemicus remedy, the remedy of that specific epidemic at that specific point in time. Once identified, the epidemicus remedy could be used as a preventive for persons not yet infected. The next occurrence of the epidemic might require a different remedy since the symptoms might present differently. Hence, what worked in the past might not work in the future. In this sense, one cannot "vaccinate" against a disease by giving a homeopathic remedy even if that remedy was made from the infectious agent causing the epidemic (isopathy). As Americans we are currently faced with the possibility of exposure to weaponized pathogens. As explained above, one cannot predict what remedies might be useful unless a large number of people fall sick and are treated successfully with homeopathy. Only then can the epidemicus remedy be identified. However, I believe it is important to have something on hand should it become obvious that we are in the midst of a biological attack.

Smallpox - I am recommending the use of Variolinum 1M. This remedy is made from the fluid from a smallpox vesicle. However, it is so dilute that it CAN NOT give you a case of smallpox. It is non-toxic, safe, and without side-effects or drug interactions. Despite what was mentioned above, namely, that one cannot reliably treat a disease with a remedy made from diseased material, Variolinum is an exception. Traditional homeopathic literature lists it as a treatment for smallpox, reactions from the smallpox vaccine as well as other conditions. You do need to know that all homeopathic remedies may cause the appearance of symptoms that the patient didn't have before taking the remedy. This is especially true if a remedy is taken daily as a preventive. These symptoms are self-limiting and stop when the remedy is stopped. Homeopathic remedies do not produce infectious disease where none existed before - just symptoms which resolve on their own. I am recommending the use of Variolinum 1M in the following manner: Do not use this remedy until local health officials have declared a health alert or emergency . If we have an emergency and the smallpox vaccine is not available, then use this remedy once a day for 7 days and then once a week for 4 weeks then once a month for 2 months. Tap out 4 -5 pellets into the cap and then tap the cap and let the pellets fall onto your tongue and just let them dissolve. If we do have the vaccine in time and you choose to receive the vaccine and you develop a reaction to the vaccine, take a dose of this remedy just once and consult a licensed homeopathic physician immediately. Do not use this remedy if you have been given the vaccine and the vaccine has not caused any adverse reactions. You should also know that the smallpox vaccine can be used to treat the very early stages of smallpox (first 3 days after exposure). If you need to stretch the remedy to give to friends or family, follow this procedure: Place 10 pellets in a one liter bottle of spring water such as Poland Spring, etc. Shake to dissolve the pellets. Give 1/2 teaspoon of this solution daily instead of taking the dry pellets. Shake before each dose. Keep refrigerated. Lastly, there is one another fact you should know. It has been a very long time since there was an active case of smallpox from which to make this remedy. Stores of the homeopathic material used to make this remedy are old and without a paper trail documenting its source. This adds some additional doubt about its use. However, if a vaccine is unavailable and if faced with a potential exposure I would still use Variolinum.

Anthrax - as explained above, one cannot predict what remedies might be useful in combating anthrax used as a biological weapon unless a large number of people fall sick and are treated successfully with homeopathy. Only then can the epidemicus remedy be identified. However, I believe it is important to have something on hand should it become obvious that we are in the midst of an anthrax epidemic delivered as a biological attack. So, I am recommending the use of Anthracinum 1M. This remedy is made from the spleens of cows infected with anthrax. However, it is so dilute that it CAN NOT give you a case of anthrax. It is non-toxic, safe, and without side-effects or drug interactions. You do need to know that all homeopathic remedies may cause the appearance of symptoms that the patient didn't have before taking the remedy. This is especially true if a remedy is taken daily as a preventive. These symptoms are self-limiting and stop when the remedy is stopped. Homeopathic remedies do not produce infectious disease where none existed before - just symptoms which resolve on their own. I am recommending the use of Anthracinum 1M in the following manner: Do not use this remedy until local health officials have declared a health alert or emergency and they begin to dispense antibiotics to the public in your area. In the case of anthrax this would be Cipro (Ciprofloxacin). Once the emergency is declared, start taking 4 -5 pellets of the remedy daily. Tap out 4 -5 pellets from the vial into the cap and use the cap to tap the pellets onto your tongue and just let it dissolve. Continue this for three weeks or until the emergency has been cancelled. The remedy should be taken in addition to the antibiotic not instead of the antibiotic. If you need to stretch the remedy to give to friends or family, follow this procedure: Place 10 pellets in a one liter bottle of spring water such as Poland Spring, etc. Shake to dissolve the pellets. Give 1/2 teaspoon of this solution daily instead of taking the dry pellets. Shake before each dose. Keep refrigerated.

Please Note - the measures listed above are my best attempt to come up with one remedy that might help prevent infection. However, there are many possible remedies for the various stages of smallpox and anthrax. These are best treated by a licensed homeopathic physician. For a more detailed treatment description see the National Center for Homeopathy. Click here.

Nuclear - attacks by nuclear weapons have not been mentioned as a possibility. Rather, "dirty" bombs have been mentioned as a potential terrorist weapon. A dirty bomb is a conventional bomb which contains nuclear waste material. This material is obtained from medical and industrial sources. The explosion of the bomb then spreads radioactive material into the surrounding environment. The other possibility is that a nuclear power plant might become a terrorist target. In that case the amount of radiation is much larger and the effected area is much larger. It is very difficult to know what symptoms need to be treated from radiation exposure. It depends on the proximity to the explosion. Too close and death would either be immediate or follow in a few hours from the intense exposure. The first signs one would see would be severe burns from the radiation exposure. As the distance away from the blast increases, the severity of the symptoms decreases. A large explosion such a power plant can send radiation into the atmosphere and prevailing winds can effect people for many miles. The use of potassium iodide (Kali iodatum) is often recommended. This is because nuclear explosions frequently spread radioactive isotopes of iodide. In our bodies, iodide is concentrated in our thyroid glands and radioactive iodide will cause thyroid cancer. So to prevent this, potassium iodide pills are taken to flood all the receptor sites in our thyroid glands so the radioactive iodide does not collect there. Potassium iodide tablets are a non-prescription item and can be obtained from a drug store. Alternatively, you can order them from this website by going to the Diet and Nutrition section and clicking or the link for ordering supplements. Put in the passwords and follow the instructions. The product which you need to order is called Iosat and is listed on my custom order blank. One package of iosat is a complete treatment for one person for 14 days. Homeopathically, I recommend having Radium Bromatum 200C. The dosing schedule depends on how close you were to the explosion. If you feel your skin burning, have a fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea then take 5-8 pellets put it in a bottle of water and take a tiny sip every 10 minutes for the next 4 hours. Thereafter, take a sip every half hour for the next 4 hours, then every hour for the next 4 hours. Try to do this even if you are being taken to a hospital for treatment. Continue daily doses of the remedy for 2 weeks. If you have no symptoms but prevailing winds are blowing radiation into your neighborhood then take one dose daily until radiation drops to a safe level. Continue daily for 2 weeks even after levels have dropped to acceptable.

Chemical - attacks pose the same problem as nuclear. A heavy, close exposure and you are immediately overwhelmed by the gas and therefore not able to help yourself or others. It is only a light, distant exposure to various poisonous agents which will allow for homeopathic treatment before being transported to a hospital. The nerve agents such as Sarin, Soman, Tabun, and VX poison the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic branch. This is the branch concerned with "breed and feed" as opposed to "fight or flight" which is the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. For these agents I am proposing Physostigma 200C. The more acute the exposure the more frequently the dose needs to be repeated. Take several pellets immediately, then put 5-8 pellets in a bottle of water and dissolve. Take a sip of the water every 10 minutes for the first hour, then every 20 minutes for the next hour then every 40 minutes for the next several hours. Then decrease the dosing to every few hours as the symptoms subside. Chronic symptoms which persist after exposure to these agent should be treated by a licensed homeopathic physician. Blistering agents such as Mustard Gas, Nitrogen Mustard, HN-2, HN-3, Lewisite, and Phosgene can be helped by Cantharis 200C. As before, start with a dry dose of 5-8 pellets immediately, then dissolve some pellets in a bottle of water and take a sip every 10 minutes for the first hour and so on. The chronic effects of mustard gas type agents need to be treated homeopathically. Among the chronic effects of mustard gas are miscarriage and children born with physical malformations - like radiation the effects are longstanding and trans-generational. For poisoning with behavior altering agents such as Agent 15/BZ, I suggest Belladonna 200C taken every 10 minutes and then less frequently as outlined above. In the case of Ricin, the poison made from the castor bean, I am recommending Crotalus Horridus 200C. The dosing schedule is the same as above, namely, a dry dose of several pellets and then frequent doses every 10 minutes then every 20 minutes and so on. For Cyanide gas I am recommending an isopathic approach. That means using a potentized version of a substance to antidote its effects. I feel that the remedy best able to treat symptoms of cyanide gas is a remedy made from Potassium Cyanide or Kali Cyanatum 200C. This remedy is much too dilute to poison you, however, in its homeopathic form it may very well relieve symptoms and prevent damage from a mild exposure. Take it the same way mentioned above. A dry dose of several pellets immediately and then every 10, 20, 40 minutes as mentioned above.

For more information about all these chemicals as well as nuclear and biological agents please see the CDC website. Click here

Availability - There are two recommended sizes of remedy vials that can be purchased. The first is 2 dram vial. This is the size vial in my older kits (pre-2003). The size of the pellets is #20 or #25. This is what I usually dispense in the office. The new, smaller kits which are now available are in what are called unit dose tubes (approximately a ½ dram vial). All of the remedies mentioned above with the exception of Variolinum are over-the-counter. I have a limited supply of both Variolinum and Anthracinum, for sale to established patients, in the office. The following is a partial list of homeopathic vendors:

Homeopathic Laboratories www.homeopathiclaboratories.com 1-800-234-8879 (2 dram vials)

Washington Homeopathic Products www.homeopathyworks.com    1-800-336-1695 (2 dram and ½ dram vials)

Hahnemann Laboratories www.hahnemannlabs.com 1-888-427-6422      (2 dram vials)

Bigelow Pharmacy 414 6th Avenue (8th Street), NY, NY 1-212-533-2700 (unit dose tubes and larger "blue tubes" by Boiron - they deliver!)