The recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease around here has produced a really depressed local community. Its not just farmers that are affected but all local businesses as tourism has collapsed. As a result there is now a palpable amount of fear, lots of anger directed towards the government in particular and extremely low moral.

All of this got me wondering if there is anything known or documented about treating a population with common mental symptoms in the same way as might happen with a physical epidemic. It occured to me that in some of the awful and extreme situations around the globe, war, mass rape, genocide etc there must be common mental pictures that emerge in victims, witnesses, aid workers et al.
Any thoughts would be very welcome?
Dave
PS. I'm not looking to drop a remedy in the local water reservoir!


[This message has been edited by davegreen (edited 14 March 2001).]

Hi Dave,
Actually, that makes a lot of sense! Have you got Chronic Diseases? He covers genus epidemicus in there...hmmm, makes me want to open it and have a look (but too busy to today )...

We're coming to UK in a couple of weeks - staying on a dairy farm - and got a call yesterday saying the farmer is concerned and asked our booking agent to find us an alternative. Well, you can imagine that over Easter nothing is available (nothing is sadly) - and this farmer said Well, if they can't find an alternative we'll honour the aggreement for them to come here.

Wow, I thought (knowing from my grandfather having a ranch w/ herds of cattle) this man is really concerned about contamination but he's not throwing us to the wolves (our air tickets are NON refundable, and NON changeable sort of deal...)..so I rang he and his wife up last night and said, hey, we'll comply with whatever measures you feel are necessary to keep your farm safe from contamination.

So, we've decided to take extra shoes along - to keep in a plastic bag - and we'll ONLY use those on the farm, so as to lessen any risks to the poor guy....

I said all that to say this. It was very apparent that there is a sombre and sort of heavy feeling there...

And, I really hope this all calms soon!!

Does anyone know for sure, if the Borax 30c is actually a good preventative? Or is it only effective after animals are exposed?
Thanks for listening...this has been on my mind since last night.
Lisa

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the post, I must confess I haven't looked at 'chronic diseases' for a while (what an admission eh!), but its a good idea of yours, I'll put it on tonight's bedtime reading list.
I'm glad that the farmer has agreed to put you up, I know that around here in Cumbria that would not be the case. Many farms have now isolated themsleves entirely, no vehicles or people going in or out. The food is passed over in buckets which are disinfected and kids are either off school for the duration or staying with villagers, there is a real siege mentality in some places.
I don't know which part of the UK you are going to, but the effects are very regionalised, Cumbria, Northumberland, Devon and Gloucestershire seem to have the most cases as I understand it. If you do get stuck though most hotels in the country are now getting cancellations by the score so I'm sure you could find something, local tourist offices are good booking agents; let me know if you need any phone numbers or contacts; still hopefully it won't come to that.
My understanding on the Borax is that it works as a prophylactic and a treatment post infection. I have heard a question over whether even though successful as a prophylactic it can leave antibodies in the animal IF the animal is exposed to the infection. The problem is that government vets don't differentiate between a well animal with antibodies and a sick animal, both will bring about the slaughter of the entire herd; allopathic thinking gone mad!
Still, enough doom and gloom, hope you have a good trip when you come.
Regards
Dave

[This message has been edited by davegreen (edited 14 March 2001).]

Dave

Have you seen the following web site about FMD http://www.whatareweswallowing.frees...otandmouth.htm

Oh Thanks for all the info Dave!!

Actually - we'll be in the Devon/Somerset/Dorset are - that sort of triangle, if you know what I mean!

It sounds really sad. I hope this dies down soon, but I keep seeing reports from various sources saying it is only going to get worse! Imagine.

Hope you get more replies on your orginal question, which I thought made a lot of sense .
Lisa

Interesting thread Davegreen!!

Did you get time to look at Nigel's link? Hard hitting and quite fascinating! But more or less what we homeopathic people have supected.

Things seem to have escalated here over the past 24hrs. I must admit that the thought of more mass slaughter of even more healthy livestock is quite distressing for me.

I think you're right Davegreen there is definately a general feeling of 'pestulance and plague' here atm. Especially following all those 'floods' this winter as well. Would you venture to suggest a remedy for the general malaise?? Obviously hypothetical!!

How widespread is the use of Borax 30c as a preventative?? Surely farmers would try anything atm? Unless, of course, as mentioned before, they feel their meat would then be unsaleable....

Lisa, good to hear you are coming for Easter.
If you read my now deleted message please disregard it as it was a load of ****.

Deb

[This message has been edited by debdell (edited 15 March 2001).]

Hi

I just went to the Maff web site. There is a small mention of the use of Borax 30c.

www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/borax.htm

They are not clear whether the use of Borax is permitted, but obviously don't approve.

What was your deleted message about Deb?

Well, I sure hope the farmers will TRY the borax and at least give it a chance!!

Interesting point you brought up, Deb - the floods.

Wonder if this sudden outbreak of H&M Disease has ANYTHING to do with the recent flooding....??
Lisa

Lisa

I had some mad idea that there might be restrictions about travelling out of Britain once in... But I was so wrong. I think I was getting dragged into doom and gloom with the 'genus epidemicus' . I went to the MAFF web site and all it said was that if you are taking your car out of the country you have to wash the tyres.

So excuse my madness I didn't mean to scare you.

Deb

PS The 'experts' say the wet weather has made things worse because of all that mud spread the virus about...on everyone's feet I suppose! That's my lay person's interpretation anyway!!

[This message has been edited by debdell (edited 15 March 2001).]

Dear GPM,

Thank you for reminding us of the horrors of the slaughter house. Everything about this industry is bad. It's bad for the animals, it's bad for the environment--clearing acres of forests for cattle grazing, feeding animal parts to vegetarian animals, causing animal diseases, then we eat the animals and become sick...nothing comes out of this smelling like a rose.

Well, if I could suggest a remedy for England, what about Ignatia? It's the grief/disbelief remedy. Maybe for some it would be Aurum--for those who have lost their "gold" because of the crisis.

Snoopy