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Chapter 8—The Physician an Educator
True physicians are educators. They recognize their responsibil-
ity not only to the sick who are under their direct care but also to
the communities in which they live. They stand as guardians of both
physical and moral health. It is their 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.
Education in health principles was never more needed than now.
Notwithstanding wonderful progress in 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 the human family.
Our artificial civilization is encouraging evils that are 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. They are bringing upon
the race an intolerable burden. Intemperance and crime, disease and
wretchedness are everywhere.
Avoid Poisonous Drugs
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
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or she 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 of the sick will not take the
trouble to search out the cause of their illness. Their chief aim is to
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