Chapter 17—Foods as Remedies
Testimonies for the Church 5:443
There are many ways of practicing the healing art; but there is
only one way that heaven approves. God’s remedies are the simple
agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through
their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper
diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God, are remedies for the want
of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date
because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appre-
ciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water and clean, sweet premises, are
within the reach of all with but little expense; but drugs are expensive,
both in the outlay of means and the effect produced upon the system.
Testimonies for the Church 2:384-385
In cases of severe fever, abstinence from food for a short time will
lessen the fever, and make the use of water more effectual. But the
acting physician needs to understand the real condition of the patient,
and not allow him to be restricted in diet for a great length of time until
his system becomes enfeebled. While the fever is raging, food may
irritate and excite the blood; but as soon as the strength of the fever is
broken, nourishment should be given in a careful, judicious manner.
If food is withheld too long, the stomach’s craving for it will create
fever, which will be relieved by a proper allowance of food of a right
quality. It gives nature something to work upon. If there is a great
desire expressed for food, even during the fever, to gratify that desire
with a moderate amount of simple food would be less injurious than
for the patient to be denied. When he can get his mind upon nothing
else, nature will not be overburdened with a small portion of simple
food.
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