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Temperance Education an Objective of Our Medical Work
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fellow being an injury. Drunkards, maniacs, those who are given
over to licentiousness, all appeal to the physician to declare clearly
and distinctly that suffering results from sin. Those who understand
the principles of life should be in earnest in striving to counteract
the causes of disease. Seeing a continual conflict with pain, laboring
constantly to alleviate suffering, how can the physician hold his
peace? Is he benevolent and merciful if he does not teach strict
temperance as a remedy for disease?—
The Ministry of Healing,
114
.
A Guardian of Physical and Moral Health
—The true physi-
cian is an educator. He recognizes his responsibility, not only to
the sick who are under his direct care, but also to the community in
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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.
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
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.—
The
Ministry of Healing, 125, 126
.
The Sanitarium an Educating Force
—In all our sanitarium
and school work, let matters pertaining to health reform take a