Book Review
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 2003 Jul / Aug VOL V NO 4.
Reviewed by
Dr Ajit Kulkarni
Warnings and Advices of J T Kent
Author: Dr Satish Rana
Price: Rs 200/-
Pages: 121
The resurgence of Homoeopathy is not only at the level of homoeopathic practitioners, but also at the level of academic part of homoeopathic science. We now see homoeopathy blossoming in all dimensions ranging from intricate philosophy to complex homoeopathic practice. Many obstruse areas of mysterious homoeopathy have been unraveled by the old pioneers and the homoeopathic generation at all times will always owe a feeling of gratitude to a great pioneer, a philosopher, a scientist and above all a true practitioner of our highly salubrious healing art, Dr James Tyler Kent.
‘Warnings and advices of Dr J T Kent’ is now
available to the homoeopathic profession in a book from which a reader can
tremendously benefit from the perusal of this book. The warnings, suggestions,
brief teachings, some useful clinical tips etc amounting to 250 in numbers
covering almost all aspects of Homoeopathic science and art under important
headings.
Under ‘Art of Applying Materia Medica’, Kent
writes, "If you are acquainted with the Materia Medica, with the art of
individualization, you will easily see how to get the generals. The generals of
one are so and so, and the generals of the other are so and so, and this will
enable you to distinguish one of these remedies as best adapted to the
constitution, when the two remedies have the one symptom in any equal degree.
Now, this rules out the idea of substitution-From beginning to end, the
homoeopath must study the patient. If he became conversant with symptoms apart
from the patient, he will not be successful!" Through this paragraph Kent
advises to study the patient as a whole and not to prescribe on symptoms alone.
As a teacher of undergraduate and PG courses, I always warn
the students against the exclusive practice on Key-notes.
I found Kent, "Avoid prescribing on Key-notes
alone." Sometimes it may occur to you to say, that with five or six
key-notes, certainly you would give Calcarea; but suppose you did have
five or six key-notes of Calcarea, and the patient should be a Puls
patient, would you expect to cure her with Calcarea. Unless you combine
the particulars with the things that are general, and the generals with the
particulars, unless the remedy fits the patient from within out, generally and
particularly, a cure need not be expected. That is why I say, do not prescribe
on key-notes, but upon the symptoms of the patient. This system of key-notes
appeals to the memory only. It does not train the mind to know the character of
the remedies. It omits the nature of the remedy or the image of the patient,
which was the soul of Hahnemann’s teaching. If we omit from our thoughts this
soul, this image, we omit all upon which a homoeopathic prescription rests viz.
the totality."
Today the word ‘Classical Homoeopathy’ has gained much
popularity. While reading this book, one gets the feeling that Kent’s
comprehension and exposition of Homoeopathic science is the prerogative of
classical homoeopathy! Kent, through his lucid language, elaborated on all
aspects of homoeopathy in a scientific manner and made it richer.
A solid proponent of principles and philosophy, Kent always
emphasized the unity of philosophy and practice. After perceiving that the
principle of Similia is supreme, Kent advises, "Individualization
must be made through the patient. This is a principle that should never be
violated. The sole duty of the physician is to treat the sick, which means to
study the patient himself until an idea of sickness is obtained."
Kent was expecting much from his colleagues, "The study
of the homoeopathic pathogenesis, which is so extensive, requires so much time
and perseverance, that men who are given to carelessness, indolence and levity,
can do very little to make a showing for professional glory; hence the stupid,
the flippant and the "smart" must always seek the material method and
make it the basis of his efforts, thereby associating with, or placing himself
on the same level as, the mechanic. Of course, all liquid substances seek their
own level." Kent’s statements may appear harsh but if viewed in
perspective, we expect the same from a great and erudite physician like Kent.
Modern Homoeopathy is after specifies. Kent has very aptly
said, "What constitutes a Homoeopathic remedy? The answer is: It has
demonstrated its curative relation to the patient, after having been prescribed
in accordance with his symptoms, the recovery taking place in the proper
direction, from above downward, from within out, and in the reverse order of the
symptoms. That constitutes the prescription homoeopathic. It is then a specific
remedy, and in no other sense can a remedy be called a specific."
Full with suggestions, clinical guidelines and warnings, the
book fulfills the need of every serious student of homoeopathy. An undergraduate
can have a disciplinized approach, a post-graduate can quote Kent’s statements
for his research/thesis work and a true practitioner will enjoy through
utilizing this book to the maximum extent possible!
Dr Satish Rana, a leading homoeopathician from Punjab and
Editor of Similitude has very ably shouldered the responsibility by collecting,
collating and selecting the literature of Kent and giving appropriate headings
to add relevant information. This book sends a message to ponder over our
faculty’s old literature; the gems lie latent and need to be explored at
large.
Suggestions:
It would have been even better had Dr Rana used a separate paper for each
warning or advice. Splitting the literature into specific chapters viz.
philosophy, Materia Medica, clinical tips, etc. might have helped the profession
to refer to specific information. May be he can do this for the second edition.
