Scrupulous Sanitation
75
If every family realized the beneficial results of thorough cleanli-
ness, they would make special efforts to remove every impurity from
their persons and from their houses, and would extend their efforts
to their premises. Many suffer decayed vegetable matter to remain
about their premises. They are not awake to the influence of these
things. There is constantly arising from these decaying substances
an effluvium that is poisoning the air. By inhaling the impure air, the
blood is poisoned, the lungs become affected, and the whole system
is diseased. Disease of almost every description will be caused by
inhaling the atmosphere affected by these decaying substances.
Families have been afflicted with fevers, some of their members
have died, and the remaining portion of the family circle have almost
murmured against their Maker because of their distressing bereave-
ments, when the sole cause of all their sickness and death has been
the result of their own carelessness. The impurities about their own
premises have brought upon them contagious diseases and the sad
afflictions which they charge upon God. Every family that prizes
health should cleanse their houses and their premises of all decaying
substances.
God commanded that the children of Israel should in no case allow
impurities of their persons or of their clothing. Those who had any
personal uncleanness were shut out of the camp until evening, and
then were required to cleanse themselves and their clothing before
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they could enter the camp. Also they were commanded of God to
have no impurities upon their premises within a great distance of the
encampment, lest the Lord should pass by and see their uncleanness.
In regard to cleanliness, God requires no less of His people now
than He did of ancient Israel. A neglect of cleanliness will induce
disease. Sickness and premature death do not come without cause.
Stubborn fevers and violent diseases have prevailed in neighborhoods
and towns that had formerly been considered healthy, and some persons
have died, while others have been left with broken constitutions, to
be crippled with disease for life. In many instances their own yards
contained the agent of destruction, which sent forth deadly poison into
the atmosphere, to be inhaled by the family and the neighborhood.
The slackness and recklessness sometimes witnessed is beastly, and
the ignorance of the results of such things upon health is astonishing.