This book review is reprinted with the permission of the American Institute of Homeopathy
925 E. 17th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218

Book Review: Kent's Minor Writings on Homeopathy - the unearthing of heretofore unavailable original articles by James Tyler Kent, M.D.
H. Michot-Dietrich, Ph.D.
Title: Kent's Minor Writings on Homeopathy
Editor: K.-H. Gypser, M.D.
Publisher: Haug Publishers
Available in the U.S. through Medicina Biologica, 4830 NE 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97211
Cost: $69.95 plus $2.00 shipping [Editor's note: As of April 1996 Minimum Price Books' price is $65.00]

The contents of this edition of Kent's Minor Writings should be required reading for every serious student of homeopathy. The outstanding presentation of this hardcover volume, distinguishing it from the customary odorous, poorly-bound other foreign editions with which newcomers to the study of homeopathy in the USA have to contend all too often, can only facilitate the study of this very useful contribution to presently available homeopathic literature. In addition, the table of contents, a complete bibliography, an alphabetical list of the articles, one index for the remedies and one for persons mentioned, are valuable features of this attractive book.

Having said this much about its appearance, it must be stated that this is an entirely new book expanding on Kent's "Lesser Writings" and contains 49 articles not printed in the edition published by W.W. Sherwood, M.D. in 1926. The articles are presented in the chronological order of their appearance in the various journals, and the bibliographic references, missing in the Sherwood edition, are provided. Many of the articles which had been shortened or otherwise altered in the old edition are presented by Dr. Gypser in their original form. Five of the articles from the Sherwood edition could not be traced to their original sources and were therefore relegated to the appendix of the Gypser edition.

In comparing the old and the new editions, it will be observed that while the Sherwood edition has only one article on "How To Use The Repertory," the Gypser edition has two different ones: the first dating from 1901, which is the one also given by Sherwood, and the second from 1911, not found in the Sherwood edition. More important yet, the Gypser edition adds an article on Boenninghausen's Concordance and how to use it as well as one containing some scathing arguments against attempts by a segment of the homeopathic community at a "Revision of Our Materia Medica," published in 1884. These are but a few of the many interesting additions found in this volume.

In the present edition, Kent's clinical notes, writings on new remedies, public speeches, etc., are all presented strictly in chronological order, whereas in the Sherwood edition, they were separated and distributed over different parts of the book. As a result, the reader of the Gypser edition gains a better understanding of the evolution of Kent's thought throughout the latter's years of practice with homeopathy.

Kent's faithful adherence to Hahnemann's teachings permeates his publications. His admonitions to study, restudy, and study again Hahnemann's Organon are found in his earliest as well as in his last articles indicating his continued admiration for the man he repeatedly calls the "immortal Hahnemann." His case histories are fascinating and instructive, and they are as applicable today as they were when first published. Although Kent's English style is somewhat uneven in quality, what he has to say is of great interest to all present and future practitioners of homeopathy. Those already familiar with some of Kent's work and/or with the Sherwood edition, will find that much can be gained from reading this new edition. Others, especially those interested in the pursuit of classical homeopathy, will find these essays invaluable in aiding the progress and will acquire a deeper understanding of Hahnemann's approach to the art of healing.

The indisputable value of Kent's publications is recognized by today's international homeopathic community. It may serve as a measure of the importance of this publication that, while the Sherwood edition was never translated into German, the Gypser edition of James Tyler Kent's Minor Writings is presently under contract to be translated into Hahnemann's mother tongue.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HOMEOPATHY SEPTEMBER 1987