Health
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slow poisons, like the tobacco-user, think they cannot live without
them, because they feel so very badly when they do not have these
idols. Why they suffer when they discontinue the use of these stim-
ulants, is because they have been breaking down nature in her work
of preserving the entire system in harmony and in health. They will
be troubled with dizziness, headache, numbness, nervousness, and
irritability. They feel as though they should go all to pieces, and some
have not courage to persevere in abstaining from them till abused
nature recovers, but again resort to the use of the same hurtful things.
They do not give nature time to recover the injury they have done her,
but for present relief return to these hurtful indulgences. Nature is
continually growing weaker, and less capable of recovering. But if
they will be determined in their efforts to persevere and overcome,
abused nature will soon again rally, and perform her work wisely and
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well without these stimulants. The whole system under the influence
of these stimulants often becomes intoxicated. And to just that de-
gree that the nervous system is excited by false stimulants, will be the
prostration which will follow after the influence of the exciting cause
has abated. This prostration may in time be overcome by abstaining
from the use of those things which created such a condition in the
system. Those who indulge a perverted appetite, do it to the injury
of health and intellect. They cannot appreciate the value of spiritual
things. Their sensibilities are blunted, and sin does not appear very
sinful, and truth is not regarded of greater value than earthly treasure.
There is a class who profess to believe the truth, who do not use
tobacco, snuff, tea, or coffee, yet they are guilty of gratifying the
appetite in a different manner. They crave highly-seasoned meats,
with rich gravies, and their appetite has become so perverted that they
cannot be satisfied with even meat, unless prepared in a manner most
injurious. The stomach is fevered, the digestive organs are taxed, and
yet the stomach labors hard to dispose of the load forced upon it. After
the stomach has performed its task it becomes exhausted, which causes
faintness. Here many are deceived, and think that it is the want of food
which produces such feelings, and without giving the stomach time to
rest, they take more food, which for the time removes the faintness.
And the more the appetite is indulged, the more will be its clamors
for gratification. This faintness is generally the result of meat-eating,
and eating frequently, and too much. The stomach becomes weary by