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Chapter 8—The Physician, an Educator
The true physician is an educator. He recognizes his responsi-
bility, not only to the sick who are under his direct care, but also to
the community in which he lives. He stands as a guardian of both
physical and moral health. It is his endeavor not only to teach right
methods for the treatment of the sick, but to encourage right habits
of living, and to spread a knowledge of right principles.
Need of Education in Health Principles
Education in health principles was never more needed than now.
Notwithstanding the wonderful progress in so many lines relating to
the comforts and conveniences of life, even to sanitary matters and
to the treatment of disease, the decline in physical vigor and power
of endurance is alarming. It demands the attention of all who have
at heart the well-being of their fellow men.
Our artificial civilization is encouraging evils destructive of
sound principles. Custom and fashion are at war with nature. The
practices they enjoin, and the indulgences they foster, are steadily
lessening both physical and mental strength, and bringing upon the
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race an intolerable burden. Intemperance and crime, disease and
wretchedness, are everywhere.
Many transgress the laws of health through ignorance, and they
need instruction. But the greater number know better than they do.
They need to be impressed with the importance of making their
knowledge a guide of life. The physician has many opportunities
both of imparting a knowledge of health principles and of showing
the importance of putting them in practice. By right instruction he
can do much to correct evils that are working untold harm.
A practice that is laying the foundation of a vast amount of
disease and of even more serious evils is the free use of poisonous
drugs. When attacked by disease, many will not take the trouble
to search out the cause of their illness. Their chief anxiety is to
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