Contributions from Dr James Tyler Kent

Contributions from Dr James Tyler Kent

Kent is said to have contributed as much to the great homeopathic works as Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy.

Prior to his involvement with homeopathy,
Kent had practiced conventional medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He discovered and "converted" to homeopathy as a result of his wife's recovery from a serious ailment using homeopathic methods. Many homeopathic practitioners today still follow Kent's early method of curing, which was to prescribe remedies using single doses of high potencies. When he taught, he would inspire his "Kentians" to use these higher potencies; and he held a strong belief that homeopaths must treat patients in their entirety, including the physical body, as well as the mental/emotional and spiritual elements, using these high potencies. Later in his career, however, Kent began using Hahnemann's method of starting with low potencies and working up the scale by threes (6, 9, 12 etc.).
One of his greatest contributions to the profession of homeopathy, and its teachings, was his completely unique style of repertory. Although others exist, Kent's famous repertory, The Great Repertory, is still the popular choice, and has been described as more complete, systematic and precise — with more well-described symptoms.
Kent is also known for developing "pictures" of constitutional types of patients. A well-known example would be his description of Sulphur as "the ragged philosopher." There are many works based on Kent's principles, including a book by one of his pupils, Margaret Tyler. Tyler further developed this idea of "pictures" into a book entitled Homeopathic Drug Pictures.
Kent is considered to have been a great homeopath; and his philosophy, homeopathic interpretations and influence have steadily continued to grow in popularity since his death.

Contributions Available Online for downloading :
Format : PDF

• Kent's Aphorisms and Precepts from extemporaneous  lectures : Link
• Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy - India – Kent : Link
  Transcriptions of the lectures Kent gave to his classes in the study of the Organon.
• Lectures on Materia Medica – Kent  : Link
  Transcribed by his students from the lectures he presented at his Post-graduate School of Homeopathics in Philadelphia.
• Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica - lg – Kent : Link
  The archetypal and definitive repertory of several generations, Kent's repertory serves as the kernel of most of the modern repertories.
• New Remedies , Kent : Link 
• Lesser Writings – Kent : Link
  Compiled after Kent's death, the book is comprised from letters, published artticles and lectures. This work contains all Kent's aphorisms and precepts so often quoted.
• What the Doctor Needs to Know – Kent : Link
  With this how-to book, Kent encouraged his patients to report their symptoms usefully at their intake and follow up appointments.