Experience Not Reliable
73
are experienced, because the muscles have become feeble. It is not
good policy to give up the use of certain muscles because pain is felt
when they are exercised. The pain is frequently caused by the effort of
nature to give life and vigor to those parts that have become partially
lifeless through inaction. The motion of these long-disused muscles
will cause pain, because nature is awakening them to life.
Walking, in all cases where it is possible, is the best remedy for
diseased bodies, because in this exercise all the organs of the body
are brought into use. Many who depend upon the movement cure
could accomplish more for themselves by muscular exercise than the
movements can do for them. In some cases want of exercise causes
the bowels and muscles to become enfeebled and shrunken, and these
organs that have enfeebled for want of use will be strengthened by
exercise. There is no exercise that can take the place of walking. By it
the circulation of the blood is greatly improved.
The active use of the limbs will be of the greatest advantage to you,
Sister N. You have had many notions, and have been very sanguine,
which has been to your injury. While you fear to trust yourself in
the hands of the physicians, and think that you understand your case
[79]
better than they do, you cannot be benefited, but only harmed, by their
treatment of your case. Unless physicians can obtain the confidence of
their patients, they can never help them. If you prescribe for yourself,
and think you know what treatment you should have, better than the
physicians do, you cannot be benefited. You must yield your will and
ideas, and not rein yourself up to resist their judgment and advice in
your case.
May the Lord help you, my sister, to have not only faith but corre-
sponding works.
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