200
Healthful Living
constitution, and shortened the life of the patient. There are many who
do not die under the influence of drugs, but there are very many who
[246]
are left useless wrecks, hopeless, gloomy, and miserable sufferers, a
burden to themselves and to society.—
How to Live, 50
.
1051 Everywhere you go you will see deformity, disease, and
imbecility, which in very many cases can be traced directly back to
drug poisons.—
How to Live, 51
.
1052. Drugs given to stupefy, whatever they may be, derange the
nervous system.—
How to Live, 57
.
The Use of Drugs in our Institutions
1053. Our institutions are established that the sick may be treated
by hygienic methods, discarding almost entirely the use of drugs.
There is a terrible account to be rendered to God by men who have so
little regard for human life as to treat the body ruthlessly, in dealing
out drugs.... We are not excusable if, through ignorance, we destroy
God’s building by taking into the stomach poisonous drugs under a
variety of names we do not understand. It is our duty to refuse all such
prescriptions. We want sanitariums where maladies may be cured by
nature’s own provisions, and where the people may be taught how to
treat themselves when sick; where they will learn to eat temperately
of wholesome food, and to be educated to discard all narcotics, tea,
coffee, fermented wines, and stimulants of all kinds, and the flesh of
dead animals.—
Unpublished Testimonies, December 4, 1896
.
1054. Drug medication, as it is generally practised, is a curse.
Educate away from drugs, use them less and less, and depend more
upon hygienic agencies. Nature will respond to God’s remedies,—pure
air, pure water, proper exercise, and a clear conscience.—
Unpublished
[247]
Testimonies, 1888
.
1055. To use drugs while continuing evil habits is certainly in-
consistent, and greatly dishonors God by dishonoring the body which
he has made. Yet for all this, stimulants and drugs continue to be
prescribed and freely used; while the hurtful indulgences that pro-
duce the disease are not discarded. The use of tea, coffee, tobacco,
opium, wine, beer, and other stimulants gives nature a false support.
Physicians should understand how to treat the sick through the use of
nature’s remedies. Pure air, pure water, and healthful exercise should