Chapter 3
The human family have brought upon themselves diseases of var-
ious forms by their own wrong habits. They have not studied how
to live healthfully, and their transgression of the laws of their being
has produced a deplorable state of things. The people have seldom
accredited their sufferings to the true cause—their own wrong course
of action. They have indulged an intemperance in eating, and made a
god of their appetite. In all their habits they have manifested a reck-
lessness in regard to health and life; and when, as the result, sickness
has come upon them they have made themselves believe that God was
the author of it, when their own wrong course of action has brought
the sure result. When in distress they send for the doctor, and trust
their bodies in his hands, expecting that he will make them well. He
deals out to them drugs, the nature of which they know nothing, and
in their blind confidence they swallow anything that the doctor may
choose to give. Thus powerful poisons are often administered which
fetter nature in all her friendly efforts to recover the abuse the system
has suffered, and the patient is hurried out of this life.
The mother who has been but slightly indisposed, and who might
have recovered by abstinence from food for a short period, and a ces-
sation from labor, having quiet and rest, has, instead of doing this, sent
for a physician. And he who should be prepared to understandingly
give a few simple directions, and restrictions in diet, and place her
upon the right track, is either too ignorant to do this, or too anxious to
obtain a fee.
He makes the case a grave one, and administers his poisons, which,
if he were sick, he would not venture to take himself. The patient
grows worse, and poisonous drugs are more freely administered, until
nature is overpowered in her efforts, and gives up the conflict, and the
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mother dies. She was drugged to death. Her system was poisoned
beyond remedy. She was murdered. Neighbors and relatives marvel
at the wonderful dealings of Providence in thus removing a mother
in the midst of her usefulness, at the period when her children need
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