If you are put off by “dry” remedy descriptions, you will find the Portraits just what you are looking for. In the manner of a good storyteller, the author describes especially the psychological characteristics of a few major remedies. Her lucid style is the reason for the longstanding popularity of this series of books, available in 3 volumes. In volume 1 nine remedies are discussed:
Phosphorus, Calcarea carbonica, Lycopodium, Sepia, Sulphur, Pulsatilla, Arsenicum, Lachesis, and Natrum muriaticum.
Commentary by Historian Julian Winston:
The first in a series. Greatly influenced by the 'portraits' and work of Edward Whitmont, this first volume contains a narrative discussion, based upon historical literature and cases seen in her own years of practice.
Nine remedies are discussed:
Phosphorus, Calcarea carbonica, Lycopodium, Sepia, Sulphur, Pulsatilla, Arsenicum, Lachesis, and Natrum muriaticum.
The first new look at materia medica since Pulford's work in the 1940s. Although the author is quick to stress that the entire pathogensis of the case should be studied, these 'pictures' present the remedies as 'essences' that could easily be used as the main filter for the case rather than as a filter at the end to narrow the choice of remedy. The wish to prescribe on 'essence' is very seductive, and the urge to do so should be carefully moderated by references to the primary materia medica(as the author does regularly). That said, this, and her subsequent books, are especially readable and have proven to be of use in the practices of many homeopaths.