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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4a
they cannot realize the evil of these things as they were presented
before me, 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 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. They are always taking cold, which causes extreme suffering,
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because of the poison all through their system.
A branch was presented before me bearing large flat seeds. Upon
it was written, Nux vomica, strychnine. Beneath was written, No
antidote. I was shown persons under the influence of this poison. It
produced heat, and seemed to act particularly on the spinal column,
but affected the whole system. When this is taken in the smallest
quantities, it has its influence, which nothing can counteract. If taken
immoderately, convulsions, paralysis, insanity, and death, are often
the results. Many use this deadly evil in small quantities. But if they
realized its influence, not one grain of it would be introduced into the
system.
When first taken, its influence may seem to be beneficial. It excites
the nerves connected with the spinal column, but when the excitement
passes away, it is followed by a sense of prostration and of chilliness the
whole length of the spinal column, especially upon the head and back
of the neck. The patients generally cannot endure the least draught
of air. They are inclined to close every crevice, and for want of the