The forefather of Modern Homeopathy: KENT

By: Dr. Nosheen Ali, Bureau Chief-ICN MP

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

James Tyler Kent was born on March 31, 1849 at Woodhull, New York. In 1873 he completed medical studies in allopathic, homeopathic, naturopathic and chiropractic at Institute of Eclectic Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 25.

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.

Kent was Professor of Anatomy in the American Medical College, St. Louis, and he was Professor of Materia Medica at the Homoeopathic Medical College of St. Louis, the School of Homoeopathy, Philadelphia, the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Chicago, and the Hering Medical College Hospital. Kent was also the President and Trustee of the Chicago Homoeopathic Hospital.

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.”

Kent became interested in homoeopathy in 1878, when his wife’s illness failed to respond either to eclectic or allopathic treatment and was cured by a homoeopath.Dr. Kent also discovered the ‘Law of Vital Action and Reaction‘ as pointed out by Dr. Hahnemann.

Kent laid greatest importance to the will, understanding and memory of the patient. They form the innermost of the man, and are extended outward through the general physical organism.

Many homeopathic practitioners today still follow Kent’s early method of curing, which was to prescribe remedies using single doses of high potencies.

Kent died of Bright’s disease on June 5, 1916, in Stevensville, Montana. He was 67 years old at the time of his death.

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