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Selected Messages Book 2
Multitudes remain in inexcusable ignorance in regard to the laws
of their being. They are wondering why our race is so feeble, and why
so many die prematurely. Is there not a cause? Physicians who profess
to understand the human organism, prescribe for their patients, and
even for their own dear children, and their companions, slow poisons
to break up disease, or to cure slight indisposition. Surely, they cannot
realize the evil of these things or they could not do thus. The effects
of the poison may not be immediately perceived, but it is doing its
work surely in the system, undermining the constitution, and crippling
nature in her efforts. They are seeking to correct an evil, but produce
a far greater one, which is often incurable. Those who are thus dealt
with, are constantly sick, and constantly dosing. And yet, if you listen
to their conversation, you will often hear them praising the drugs they
have been using, and recommending their use to others, because they
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have been benefited by their use. It would seem that to such as can
reason from cause to effect, the sallow countenance, the continual
complaints of ailments, and general prostration of those who claim
to be benefited, would be sufficient proofs of the health-destroying
influence of drugs. And yet many are so blinded they do not see that
all the drugs they have taken have not cured them, but made them
worse. The drug invalid numbers one in the world, but is generally
peevish, irritable, always sick, lingering out a miserable existence, and
seems to live only to call into constant exercise the patience of others.
Poisonous drugs have not killed them outright, for nature is loth to
give up her hold on life. She is unwilling to cease her struggles. Yet
these drug-takers are never well.
The endless variety of medicines in the market, the numerous
advertisements of new drugs and mixtures, all of which, as they say,
do wonderful cures, kill hundreds where they benefit one. Those who
are sick are not patient. They will take the various medicines, some
of which are very powerful, although they know nothing of the nature
of the mixtures. All the medicines they take only make their recovery
more hopeless. Yet they keep dosing, and continue to grow worse until
they die. Some will have medicine at all events. Then let them take
these hurtful mixtures, and the various deadly poisons, upon their own
responsibility. God’s servants should not administer medicines which
they know will leave behind injurious effects upon the system, even if
they do relieve present suffering.—
How to Live, No. 3, 49-64
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