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Full name : Kent’s
minor writings on Homoeopathy
Compiled & edited by Klauss-Henning Gypser MD
Published by : B Jain Publishers. New Delhi
Indian reprint edition
Rs. 80/
The major
contribution to the field of Homoeopathy by Dr.J.T.Kent are
Repertory, Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Lectures on
homoeopathic philosophy. But many other papers, seminars,
works, thoughts expressed by the master were not a part of the
above. So Dr. W Sherwood compiled the various article, papers
presented by Kent as “ New remedies, clinical cases, lesser
writings, aphorisms & percepts “ in 1926.But various doubts
arise about this book, about its originality the authenticity is
questionable-no primary source of various contributions were
given. So Gypser tried to collect all the articles sent by Kent
to the periodicals of that time.-to bring to light what was
written by him in facts. It is a very difficult task to Gypser,
because as most journals were not available, and mainly held in
various libraries in different countries.
So he had traveled
many countries like USA, Canada,Brirtian etc. several times, and
had to correspond extensively until the desired material was
obtained.
The search for the original articles was done with outmost care,
but even now it cannot guarantied that his compilation really
contain all Kent’ work, other than his larger publications. But
from this work a more correct judgment of Kent’s thoughts
regarding Homoeopathy can now be made.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE BOOK
First and fore most a bibliographic indication for the
individual articles were provided
Rendering possible a chronological presentation, thus enabling
the reader to study Kent’s evolution of thoughts on Homoeopathy
49 articles of Kent were discovered which are not present in
Lesser writings
This collection comprise about 172 articles, 150 case histories
& an appendix
A critical evaluation of material was made to decide what could
be incorporated in this edition
He ascertained that the articles are geniually Kent and note
lecture note taken by his pupils, noted down by others.
For the above reason the aphorisms& percepts were eliminated.
The article like Class room talks, The study of provings,The
articles on Sycosis& Syphilis are lecture notes edited by Sarch
L.Guild Leggett are avoided.
In Sherwoods Aconite or Sulphur,Breech presentations are also
avoided since their authenticity is questionable
Editorials that didn’t explicitly indicates Kent’s author ship
were also excluded.
A few editorials were omitted because the dealt with non medical
matters such as remarks about the creation of new journals or
educational facilities
Avoided Sherwoods frequent practice of sub dividing Kent’s
articles
A few entries from Sherwood edition were relegated to the
appendix, because no source could be found for them- are Alteris
farinosa, Culex muscae, Distinction between the similar &
Similimum, To all Homoeopaths, and Vespa vulgaris.
The contributions in this edition are reproduced, with a few
exceptions, in the original version which was frequently not the
case in Sherwood edition.
Eg. Omitting the name of the person preparing the remedy, or
leaving out Mind, Head etc.
Sherwood also changed the type of print and some titles and he
introduced his own divisions of the subject matter
Gypser included simillimum instead of similimum,homoeopathy
instead of Homoeopathy and capitalization of the first letter of
remedy names.
Names of person were generally printed in italics
Obvious printing errors also corrected
The index contain names of people and remedies.
THOUGHT PROVOKING POINTS IN SOME CHAPTERS
ASPERMATISM
(1st chapter )
Is a condition in which the individual fails to ejaculate
semen in coition.
According to Kent- Hypertrophy of the prostate and urethral
stricture are often productive of this defect.
Restoring of spinal reflexes is the object in the management
Treat on constitutional peculiarities along with galvanic and
faradic currents.
VACCINATION -
1883 Page.28
He is in favor of vaccination.
“ From an active experience with vaccination, I am convinced
that it is prophylactic in large degree”.
The state and condition following vaccination should be looked
upon as disease and watched and treated by the family physician.
He is in the habit of vaccinating children with the bovine virus
that is known to be good.
He had none of the unpleasant things spoken by the
antivaccinationists.
The condition that follow vaccination are not so much
exaggerated as to appearance as they are understood in their
etiology.
But in the
article VACCINATIONS in 1901 (page 427)
“ I have watched it many years, examined the evidence on all
sides “
He had to come to the conclusion that the evidence in favor of
vaccination is extremely doubtful . On the other side
vaccination has done an immense amount of injury to the human
race, and to individuals.
“It has made many people sick, it has produced grievous ulcers
and I have no doubt it mixed up many constitutional complaints.
I see no ground upon which I should favor vaccination”.
At the same time he developed certain medicine to prevent
disease.
DIPHTHERIA
(Page 39)
A gargle of sugar ad water is good for diphtheria along with
remedies like Lyc,MBI,MPI
MALARIAL
FEVERS- THERAPEUTICS (page 48)
Compared so many medicines with their indications which are very
worth full in treating malaria.
SURGICAL
THERAPEUTICS (Page 85)
Explained the various medicines with their indications after the
surgery or shock
REVISION OF OUR
MATERIA MEDICA (Page.93 )
The study of materia medica means laboring continuously. The cry
for more perfect materia medica is vain one. The plan advocated
by Coperthwait is good enough for a condensed material medica
.The man who needs few remedies & few symptoms only are happy
with this condensed material medica. But in Allen’s encyclopedia
all the pathogenesis are included.
EMERGENCIES-
EUTHNASIA (Page.97)
In this article he had given direction for treating in acute
emergencies and grave conditions. The tre physician will embrace
the opportunity to exercise his skills at this moment, without
resort to the necessity of departing from the law. So take the
symptoms of each individual case and select the remedy.
PHOBIAS (
Page114)
He had compared so many medicines with their phobias, which help
us to prescribe on keynotes and on bedside.
Eg. Actea spicata _ fear of death especially at night in bed
Aloes- fright at slight noise after nocturnal emissions.
WHAT SHALL WE
DO WHEN THE LAW FAILS (Page.133)
The remedy in not Homoeopathic simply because it is carried in
the case of a Homeopathic physician. It is based upon a perfect
law,that itr is not Homeopathically unless remedy is similar and
curative. Many prescription lack the Homoeopathic relation
necessary to a Homoeopathic prescription.
The learning Homoeopathy second hand is mostly the cause of so
much lack of success in applying the means that results in
Homoeopathic cure when properly applied.
WHAT IS
HOMOEOPATHY (Page.142)
In this article he emphasized that – the study of true pathology
should be encouraged ,and is essential to the success of
Homoeopathy and no Homoeopathician has ever discouraged it.
CULEX MUSCAE
(Page.166)
A detailed list of provers and symptoms obtained on proving are
explained here under.
HOW TO STUDY
THE REPERTORY (Page.191
Explained the need of repertory and method of working out a
case. He said if Boenninghausen used the repertory with the
limited remedies at that times proved,how much more do we need
to consult.
The beginner should not try to abbreviate the anamnesis, but
should write out the full general rubric.
Many of the most brilliant cures are made from the general
rubric when the special don’t help. To be methodical the general
rubric should appear in the notes of the prescriber and the
special below it
CHARACTERISTICS
IN THROAT DISEASE (Page.216)
Explained and compared various throat remedies in detail.
VERIFICATIONS
(Page. 228 )
Explained the various striking ,singular,uncommon symptoms
of many remedies which helps in individulisation.
THE SECOND
PRESCRIPTION (Page. )
Give answer to – how long shall watched & wait after the
first ?
_ Is the remedy still acting ?
_ If the symptoms are returning, how long shall they be
watched before second prescription ?
Give the medicine in water and in divided doses , this seems to
have good action over single dry doses.
Many physician makes a correct first prescription and the
patient does well for a while, but finally the test is made for
the second and then all is lost.
The 3 rules of Hahnemann are- start with too small potency &
dose
- avoid improper use of drugs
- don’t repeat unnecessarily
THE STUDY OF
OUR MATERIA MEDICA ( Page.241)
The student of our materiamedica must study a proving until
he feels the image of the totality of the sick feeling of all
the provers as if he had proved this remedy and felt all the
morbid feeling of the provers.
There is no short way of learning materia medica ,the more
condensed it is the more imperfect it is. Many of our keynotes
are not be found in our proving ,they are better stated
clinically.
CHARACTERISTIC
SYMPTOMS ( Page.255)
Explained the characteristic symptoms of few medicines that
may help for individualization.
MANAGEMENT OF
UTERINE DISPLACEMENTS )Page.315)
He claimed with cured cases that the displacement of the
uterus could be cured or palliated even , without mechanical
support. In his experience two remedies are usually been
sufficient to cure and the time required is 6 months-1 year.
TREATMENT OF
DOMESTIC ANIMALS (Page.370)
Suggested few medicines for the ailments of domestic animals
with cured cases.
HOW TO USE THE
REPERTORY (Page.422)
The use of the repertory in Homoeopathic practice is a
necessity if one is to do careful work .. Our materia medica is
so cumbersome without a repertory that the best prescriber must
meet with only indifferent results.
OBSERVATION
REGARDING THE SELECTION OF POTENCY ( Page.474)
He said “ The selection of best potency is a matter of
experience and observations, and not yet a matter of law.
According to him 30th potency is fond to be strong enough to
begin with a case. The indiscriminate use of any one potency is
very likely to bring reproach upon our art.
Any potency, no matter what it is high or low will cease to act
after a time. That shows at once the usefulness of knowing about
more than one single potency of a medicine.
REPRESENTATIVE
SYMPTOMS ( Page.477 )
The symptom that the patient relates spontaneously are the
true representative of himself and his parts.
The great aim of the Homoeopathic physician is to study the
representations until the sick man stand out in bold relief, not
the disease ,but including the disease.
HOW TO USE THE
REPERTORY ( Page.477)
When the physician limit the list of remedies to the parts
affected in working out a case of sickness by the repertory , he
will often be disappointed in the result. We can go from
generals to particulars, any one who have worked out the case
the other way , that is from particulars to generals ,has found
that the particulars are so scattered ,lead in various
directions and to contrary results.
THE MODERN
TENDENCY TO REPROVE OUR MATERIA MEDICA ( Page.657)
He strongly criticizing this method.
On reproving nothing has been done yet to improve any of the old
provings made in the early days ,we had gathered in the past all
that is worth is knowing for the purpose of prescribing..
Many believe that the reproving should be done under eye
specialist with all laboratory tests, blood test,BP etc. think
that this is a highly scientific procedure and display would
cause Homoeopathy to be accepted by the modern medicine people.
In his opinion we would only subject to ridicule.
They aim at bringing forth the common symptoms and neglecting
the symptoms that characterize the patient . our well proved
remedies do not need reproving. Many of our scantily proved
drugs should have further proving , but strictly on Hahnemannian
method.
THE DEFINITION
OF A HOMOEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN ( Page.658 )
“ A Homoeopathic physician is one who adds to his knowledge
of medicine a special knowledge of Homoeopathic therapeutics and
observe the law of similars “.
“ The Homoeopathic physician one who prescribe the single remedy
in the minimum dose in potentised form selected according to the
law of similars “
ADOPTION OF
HOMOEOPATHY ( Page.663 )
He says , our literatures have been defective, to a large
extend, as a teaching medium - that which has been prepared for
laity. In the literatures of the past we observe many
incongruities.
Hahnemann’s organon is a rich source of knowledge, but it is in
long sentences and very condensed, and very difficult for many
to understand. The subject is so deep, so difficult to
comprehend.
Nearly all our students fails to study these principles ,such a
state of affairs delays the spread of Homoeopathy.
BOOKS (
Page.664 )
Homoeopathy is slow to win its way because of the defective use
of the books, as well as defective books,thus producing results
that are not striking but merely ordinary.
THE POSITION OF
THE SPECIALIST ( Page.665)
The local treatment of the nose and throat, vagina, eye and
ear , is no doubt the most dangerous of all works done by
specialists.
The smallest part of the body should never be treated except by
a remedy that fits the symptoms of the entire constitution,
organs or parts.
LAND MARKS OF
HOMOEOPATHY ( Page.678)
He criticized those who are practicing other methods along
with Homoeopathy.
“ It is a source of much astonishment that, so many apparently
good Homoeopathic physicians depart from the law and order
methods of practice, and adopt faith cure,hypnotism,mind cure
etc.
It is undoubtedly because of the lack of the knowledge of the
science of Homoeopathy. The art has been studied , but the
science of art has been neglected”.
The hypnotics don’t know the quality or form of the force he
uses. He does not know the symptoms it will produce upon the
healthy. The symptoms produced by hypnotics are mostly observed
on the sick and feeble , hence are doubtful.
According to Kent
the art of healing must not be taught first . The science must
be taught first , and the art next – the law first and
experience following.
To convince students by the clinic is incorrect teaching. The
proper method is to teach first the science and convince the
mind that the doctrines are true, that the art may be taught by
clinics.
THE LANGUAGE OF
THE REPERTORY ( Page 656 )
“ He must study the repertory until he learns how to use it,
so that he can find what he wants when he needs it. “
the physician must read over and over the rubrics in the
repertory in order to learn what is in it and how symptoms are
expressed . Many fails to use the repertory because they think
of symptoms in pathological language or because they look for
expressions in the language of traditions.
The proper use of repertory will leads to correct offhand
prescribing in simple cases – with in 10-20 years. The
mechanical use of the repertory never leads to artistic
prescribing nor to remarkable results.
THE DEVELOPMENT
& FORMATION OF REPERTORY ( Page.725 )
Kent’s repertory was not completed by Kent himself
Kent completed the repertory of urinary organs ,chiil,fever and
sweat.
With other sections partially complete.
Lee helped to complete Mind and Head
The modalities of Head & Generalities are given in the last
He say “ It is of course a compilation ,I did not manufacture
the symptoms,but wrote them the best way I knew “.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
given on page.737 – which add authenticity and reliability to
this book
Alphabetical list of articles are given on page.742
Index of persons on page. 749
In APPENDIX – a note on Alteris farinosa,Culex,The
difference between similar and similimum , Vespavulgaris , and
To all Homoeopths given.
TO ALL
HOMOEOPATHS
He strongly criticize mongrels
“ If you give quinine, go on with it,if you give an opiate go on
with it,do not go back to Homoeopathy “.
Some men are incapable of grasping Homoeopathic doctrines, and
fall back in to mongrelism which is a cross between Homoeopathy
and Allopathy.
If the doctor has not the grit to withstand the cries of the
family, the criticism of the friends, the threatening of hoi
pocket book and of his bread and butter,he will not practice
very long. A honest man doesn’t fear these things.
The doctor who violate the law also violate the
consciousness, and his death is worse than the death of the
patient.
IN SHORT -
This compilation of the valuable articles of our master will
help us in the following way
· the basic concepts of Homoeopathy
· why we are failing
· how we can overcome our failures
· how to study MM & repertory
· how to teach Homoeopathy
and so many more….. |