81st Western Veterinary Conference

S8B,S8Cb
Health Strategies for Organic Livestock I & II: Use of Historical Texts for Understanding Plant Medicine and Biological Therapy Hubert J. Karreman, VMD
Prior to synthetic pharmaceuticals, veterinarians used a wide array of plant and mineral based medicines. They were used clinically on an empirical basis. Case study reports were the basis for investigation of these crude drugs impact upon physiology and pathophysiology. While double-blind randomized controlled studies with significance levels of p<.05 were not done prior to the 1950s, the biochemistry and physiologically pronounced effects were the basis for further continued use until the active constituents were isolated and synthesized. Pharmaceutical interest in plants was primarily aimed at alkaloids, glucosides, fixed oils, essential/volatile oils, oleo-resins, resins, saponins, balsams and gums. Alkaloids, for example, are natural nitrogenous substances that can be very potent in low concentration (potentially beneficial for use in dairy animals which are strongly constrained by economics) and have their greatest concentration in the seeds and roots. However, there may be residues associated with these and some have very narrow spectrum of safety. Alkaloids were some of the first plant substances to be isolated and synthesized. Many are well known to medical professionals: aconitine, atropine, berberine, caffeine, colchicine, cocaine, curarine, ephedrine, morphine, nicotine, quinine and strychnine. Others, that have mainly fallen into disuse, include: arecoline, conine, delphinine, emetine, gelsemine, pilocarpine, sparteine, staphisagrine and veratrine. Most all of these were official at some point (USP or NF). Dr. Pierre Fish, Dean of Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine published a very useful book in 1930 (see bibliography) which is a critical link between current interest in veterinary botanical medicine and the former era. For instance, one chapter lists the classification of botanical medicines according to physiologic action: anthelmintics, anti-pyretics, antiseptics, antispasmodics, astringents (intestinal), carminatives, diuretics, emmenagogues, gastric tonics, hepatic depressants and stimulants, oxytocics/ecbolics and sedatives. As medically trained professionals, we can study and understand the reasons behind their use and see that they were practicing rational medicine. Whether the botanical compounds used back then would stand rigorous scrutiny of modern statistical trials matters less to me as a clinician than knowing that the biochemistry and physiology of an animal is indeed affected by administration of such compounds/crude drugs. In Dr. Fishs book, clinicians and veterinary students of the time learned therapeutic terms with associated examples shown. For instance: abortifacient (ergot), analgesic (opium), anhidrotic (belladonna), cardiac depressant (veratrum), cardiac stimulant (digitalis), cathartic (senna), diaphoretic (jaborandi), febrifuge (aconite), mydriatic (cocaine), nephritic (uva ursi), stomachic (gentian) and taeniafuge (areca nut), etc. Preparations of crude drugs came in powdered or liquid form, most often administered orally but occasionally subcutaneously and rarely intravenously. Dry powders were dispensed in grains, scruples, drams, ounces and pounds. Liquids were dispensed as drops (minims), fluid drams, fluid ounces, pints and gallons. Tables to convert these apothecary weights and measures to the metric system were available (and they can still come in handy): 1/64 gr. = 1mg, 151/2 gr. = 1gm, 1 dram = 4 gm, 1 ounce = 30 gm; 16 minims (drop) = 1 cc (depends on viscosity), 1 fluid dram = 4 cc, 1 fluid ounce = 30cc. Veterinary medicine in the early 1900s was mostly concerned with farm animals, especially horses, cows, pigs and sheep. Dosing was not extremely precise. With the horse being the standard, a cows was to be given 1.5X that of a horse (apparently due to the ruminant nature of the digestive tract), sheep and goats 1/5X of a horse dose, pigs 1/8X of a horse dose, dogs and cats anywhere from 1/161/32X a horse dose.

Doses for conventional veterinarians.

(Fish, 1930)

H&C Aconite T 0.26

Sh&Sw 0.251

Arnica T. Belladonna T. Bryonia T. Calendula T. Chenopodii Oil Cimicifuga T. Colch. Root T. Convallaria T. Cotton Root B. Digitalis T. Ergot T. Eucalyptus Oil Fennel T Gelsemium T. Gentian F.E. Glycyrrhiza Hydrastis T. Iodine T. Male Fern F.E. Peppermint oil Morphine Nux vomica T. Opium T Phytolacca F.E. Pomegranate Pulsatilla F.E. Quercus F.E. Ruta Oil Sabina F.E. Sabina Oil Sanguina F.E. Santonin Stramon. T. Tarax. F.E. Thymol Ustilago F.E. Veratrum T.

1530 1530 1530 1530 612 3090 1545 48 1560 1224 1560 815 3060 1560 1530 1560 3060 815 1224 12 0.20.6g 424 60120 48 3060 28 1530 24 3060 815 424 1530 48 3060 28 1560 812

48 48 24 48 0.61.3 815 46 0.61.3 48 310 415 1.33.3 812 412 48 415 415 1.32.6 48 0.30.6 <0.13g 1.32.6 1530 1.33 412 0.30.6 48 0.130.6 24 0.51 0.62 48 0.62 815 0.32 24 2.64

Vinegar Wintergreen O Zingiber T. Zingiber F.E.

30120 830 3060 830

28 28 815 48

EXAMPLES OF MATERIA MEDICA (AS VETERINARY STUDENTS LEARNED IT)

Gentiana lutea

Gentiana. Gentian. (U.S.P) (Winslow, 1919; Milks, 1940) Synonym: Gentianae radix, gentian root; the dried rhizome and roots of Gentiana lutea Linne (Fam. Gentianeae). Habitat: The yellow gentian is indigenous in the Alps and mountains of southern and central Europe. Description: Roots longitudinally wrinkled, 535 mm thick. Constituents: Gentiopicrin, a bitter crystalline glucoside; gentisic acid; a trace volatile oil; gentianose, a sugar. Incompatibles: Iron, silver nitrate, lead salts. Preparations: Extract of gentian (U.S.P.), Fluid extract of gentian (U.S.P), Compound Tincture of Gentian (U.S.P.)made of gentian, bitter orange peel and cardamom. Administration: Usually given to cattle, horses and sheep in powder, or to the former in the form of the compound tincture. Action: To improve appetite; locally stimulate the taste buds of the tongue; Indirect stomachic by exciting the first secretion of gastric juice; should be given 1020 minutes before eating; may lessen normal appetite or cause nausea in irritable stomach; bitters reflexively cause dilation of the blood vessels in the stomach and increase salivary as well as gastric secretions; bitters also slightly excite gastric and intestinal peristalsis. Uses: Serviceable in simple loss of appetite; especially indicated in feeble gastric digestion caused by acute disease, overwork, insufficient and poor food, and with general debility and anemia. In the latter state, characterized by a pasty tongue, anorexia, rough hair coat and pallid mucous membranes (as seen with intestinal worms), powdered gentian is most efficient when given to horses with dried ferrous sulphate t.i.d.
Strychnos nux vomica

Nux vomica (U.S.P.) (Winslow, 1919; Milks, 1940)) Synonyms: Semen strychni, poison nut, Quaker button. The dried, ripe seed of Strychnos Nuxvomica Linne (Fam. Logaiaceae), yielding not less than 2.5% of the alkaloids of nux vomica. Description: Orbicular, nearly flat, sometimes irregularly bent, 1530 mm in diameter, 45 mm thick; very hard when dry, externally greenish gray, covered with appressed hairs, giving it a silky luster; intensely bitter. Constituents: Two alkaloids: strychnine, 0.20.6% and brucine, 0.51.0%. Both alkaloids exist in combination with igasuric acid. Preparations: Extract of Nux Vomica (U.S.P.), Fluid extract of Nux Vomica (U.S.P.), Tincture of Nux Vomica (U.S.P.). Administration: For tonic purposes, nux vomica is given to horses upon the food in the form of powder, or in fluid extract upon the tongue, while the tincture is more appropriate for dogs. When large doses are used, or an immediate action is desired in acute diseases and emergencies, the alkaloid should be given hypodermically. Action: GIact as bitter stomachics in increasing appetite, gastric secretion and motion, as well as improve local tone of alimentary canal; also stimulate the muscular tunic and therefore increases

peristaltic action; stimulates vaso-motor centers with slight increase of blood pressure; produces greatly exaggerated reflex action; sense of sight, smell, hearing and touch o s rendered more acute. Uses: To stimulate the respiratory and vasomotor centers and nervous system; to stimulate the spinal cord; to stimulate appetite, digestion, muscles, and intestinal peristalsis in atonic conditions.

Zingiber officinale

Zingiber. Ginger. (U.S.P.) (Winslow, 1919; Milks, 1940) Synonyms: Gingembre, Ingwer. The dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Fam. Zingiberacaea). Habitat: East and West Indies and India; cultivated in tropical localities. Description: Rhizomes vary in appearance according to the variety. Odor agreeably aromatic; taste aromatic and pungent. Constituents: A volatile oil (3/42%), a resin, gingerol, said to supply pungent taste, while the oil gives the flavor. Preparations: Fluid extract of Ginger (U.S.P.), Oleoresin of Ginger (U.S.P.). Actions and Uses: Chiefly administered in powder as a stomachic and carminative in atonic indigestion of horses and ruminants. Frequently combined with sodium bicarbonate and bitters. Ginger also aids the action of purgatives and prevents griping. The powder or fluid extract should be added to magnesium sulphate when it is given in full purgative doses to cattle and sheep. So, is there evidence of botanicals used historically in conventional veterinary medicine? YES without doubt! BIOLOGICAL THERAPY Biologic compounds are those that are derived from living organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and animals) and usually modulate the immune system. The most widely used biologics are vaccines (to stimulate active immunity). Lesser used biologics are hyper-immune serum, hyper-immune plasma, passive antibodies and anti-toxins (conferring passive, temporary immunity). The earliest vaccines were to protect against rabies, anthrax and black leg and must have been very efficacious for they are still widely used. Serum therapy included administering passive antibodies against shipping fever, equine influenza, hog cholera and white calf scours. Adolph Eichhorn was an expert on the subject and contributed chapters in veterinary textbooks entitled Biological Therapeutics (Winslow, 1919 c.f. bibliography). Biologics are licensed and regulated by USDA APHIS CVB. They are categorically allowed by the USDA National Organic Program. They are some of the longest used veterinary therapeutic substances. Their ability to prevent/neutralize/combat infectious disease processes makes them particularly attractive for use in organic livestock due to the absolute ban on using antibiotics. In my opinion, hyper-immunized serum is the next best thing to antibiotics for use on organic farms with infectious disease. And, in actuality, hyper-immunized serum may be better due to the cytokines and other immune modulators that come with it from the donor animal. It goes without saying that donor animals should be tested for BLV, BVD persistent infection, and Johnes at the minimum. Commercially available biologic products include serum products Bovi-Sera (Colorado Serum Co.), Bo-Bac 2X (Anchor), plasmaphoresis products (botulism antitoxin and coliform antitoxin), colostrum-whey products such as Biocel CBT (Agri-Dynamics), Impro (Impro Corp) and the mycobacterial cell wall fractionate Immunoboost (Bioniche), among others. Biological therapy is a valuable tool that veterinarians have used for decades. I fully understand and agree with the following statement made by Dr. Eichhorn in 1919: While the results attained are not uniformly satisfactory, nevertheless, from the statistical data available, there appears to be no doubt that the applications of bacterin therapy in most of the infections induced by pyogenic organisms is justified, especially if dependence is not entirely placed upon their action, but sanitary, hygienic, therapeutic, surgical and other means are employed in association with the biologic treatment. (emphasis added)

REFERENCES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Dun F. Veterinary Medicines (12th ed.). David Douglas. Edinburgh, 1910. Fish PA. Veterinary Doses and Prescription Writing (6th ed.). The Slingerland-Comstock Publ. Co. Ithaca, 1930. Milks HJ. Practical Veterinary Pharmacology, Materia Medica and Therapeutics (4th ed.). Bailliere, Tindall and Cox, London, 1940. Shaller JM. Therapeutic Guide to Alkaloidal Dosimetric Medication (2nd ed.) The Clinic Publishing Company, Chicago, 1905. (human with some animal) Steffen M. Special Veterinary Therapy. American Journal of Veterinary Medicine. Chicago, 1914. Udall DH. The Practice of Veterinary Medicine (4th ed.). Udall. Ithaca, 1943. Udall DH. Veterinarians Handbook of Materia Medica and Therapeutics. The MacMillan Company, New York, 1922. Winslow K. Veterinary Materia Medica and Therapeutics (8th ed.). American Veterinary Publishing Co. Chicago, 1919.