p. 479 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 30. (8/4/1914)

Earlier text: THE MARRIAGE SUPPER AS ETERNITY BEGINS

The Contagion of Health

By David Paulson

Nature Has Strong Barriers Against Disease—They Must Be Deliberately Broken Down for Sickness to Enter—Timely Hints and Suggestions

By DAVID PAULSON, M. D. Medical Superintendent Hinsdale Sanitarium, Hinsdale, Illinois

AMONG the many foolish statements attributed to Ingersoll is this one,—that if he had made the world, he would have made health to be catching instead of disease.

But in reality health is more catching than disease. Men may indulge in indigestible midnight suppers, drink death-dealing liquor, smoke poisonous tobacco, violate almost every known health law they conveniently can, year after year; and when finally they succeed in catching rheumatism, nervous prostration, indigestion, or gastric ulcer, a few weeks of conscientious reform and proper care will generally enable them to catch a fairly good crop of health.

In order to catch smallpox, one must get within twelve feet of the patient. In order to catch health, there are likewise some things to be done, and one of the most important of these is the breathing of pure air.

FRESH AIR CURED THE MONKEYS

We are learning in this generation, as never before, the healing possibilities of pure air. In Lincoln Park, Chicago, in former years the monkeys used to die regularly of tuberculosis. Five or six years ago there were several monkeys that were at the point of death from this disease.

Instead of killing them outright, one of the keepers threw them out on a snow-bank. The boys fed them bananas; and having an opportunity to breathe fresh air, the creatures speedily recovered. This led to ventilation of the monkey house, and now the indications are that the monkeys will die of old age.

“TOO MUCH HOUSE”

There are many persons who refuse to drink sewage, who are willing to breathe filthy air. An old Indian chief, when asked what was killing off his people, said, “Too much house.” That is what is killing thousands of people who are not Indians.

The spread of the outdoor sleeping idea is a most gratifying sign of the times. If you can not move outdoors, do try to move more of outdoors indoors.

A BLESSING INSTEAD OF A CURSE

When the Lord told Adam and Eve to earn their bread by the sweat of their faces instead of merely by the sweat of their brains, He pronounced a blessing instead of a curse. To-day steam and electricity, directed by human brains, are doing the world’s work, and as a consequence humanity is falling into decay. Sedentary habits are creating a thousand ills from which our fathers were exempt.

Those who have no other opportunity to exercise should resolutely determine to take each day a brisk walk, with head erect, chest up, at the same time practising deep breathing.

NATURE’S BEST TONIC

When tired and worn out, the brain can be temporarily relieved from its sense of fatigue by merely bathing the face in cold water. Doing the same to the skin over the liver similarly arouses that organ. Putting a cold application of water over the heart wonderfully improves the pulse beat. The fact is, a brief application of cold water, especially if it has been preceded by a short hot application, is a natural stimulant to every cell in the body.

I had a blood count made of one of the nurses. Then a general hot and cold spray was administered, and the blood test repeated; and the color of the blood, and the number of both red and white blood cells, had increased in amounts varying from five to twenty per cent. This improvement persisted for several hours.

THE RESERVES BROUGHT OUT

No doubt this is the real reason for such an amazing change: Under ordinary circumstances some of the best blood of the body is collected in the spleen and other internal organs. It is off duty, accomplishing nothing. The vigorous reaction following such a short cold treatment brings out these reserves and puts them into active circulation doing good. This is the principal reason why hydrotherapy has completely revolutionized the treatment of pneumonia, typhoid fever, and other diseases, both acute and chronic.

RIGHTEOUS EATING

There is divine philosophy in the admonition to eat and drink “to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31. It is extremely difficult to have in the head a peace that passes all understanding and at the same time have in the stomach a war that is beyond all description.

From a moral and health standpoint, the climate we have on the inside is much more important than the kind we are living in on the outside. On this point the editor of the Ladies’ Home Journal has well said:

An overfed stomach, struggling with a lot of refuse and poison

“When the mind is supposed to be tired it is generally the stomach that is fatigued. In nine cases out of ten it is an overfed stomach, struggling with a lot of refuse and poison that it can not get rid of, thus depleting or overloading some vital organ of the body.”

And another writer has said: “People who have heartburn, bad breath, colds, throbbing at the stomach, pain in the side, headache, are all our meat-breakfast friends; there are no exceptions. All these pleasant symptoms just named are the result of food poisoning.”

Modern scientific researches have furnished convincing evidence that the body is constantly manufacturing toxins, that we are always in danger of autointoxication.

I have seen a small quantity of kidney secretion from a patient suffering with spasms, injected into the blood-vessels of a healthy rabbit, and produce spasms in the animal in a few minutes. On the other hand, the kidney secretion from a patient lying in a dangerous stupor produces in a few moments a similar stupor in the rabbit.

These symptoms in the patient were produced by certain poisons accumulating in the blood. The kidneys were doing their best to remove these toxins from the body, so as to save the patient’s life. That is why, when the secretions were injected into the rabbit, the same symptoms were produced. Similar experiments have shown that kidney secretion frequently contains several times as much poison when the patient is living on a rich meat diet as when he is living on a plain, non-flesh diet.

CAUSE OF PREMATURE OLD AGE

Metchnikoff, of the Pasteur Institute, has practically demonstrated that premature old age is due to the absorption, from the alimentary canal, of poisons resulting from an unsuitable dietary.

Cancer, like many other chronic diseases, is enormously on the increase. In some parts of the country, it is now destroying more lives than any other disease except consumption and pneumonia. There is a growing conviction, among thoughtful physicians, that there is a close relationship between meat eating, a rich dietary, autointoxication, and cancer. It is important, and especially in the summer, to eliminate flesh food from our daily dietary, and use a larger amount of rice in its several forms, the various cereals, vegetables, especially green garden truck, and fruits.

We have become a nation of sugar fiends. The mania for artificial sweets is an unfavorable sign of the times in which we are living. Literally saturating the system with cane-sugar, candies, and confectionary is a menace to health.

UNNATURAL FLAVORS

Mustard, pepper, and fiery condiments are unnatural to human bodies, and hence are unphysiological. They create gastric catarrh, promote hyperacidity of the stomach, and in many instances lay the foundation for gastric ulcer.

We should religiously refrain from eating those things which taste hot when they are cold. God has put a natural flavor into every food, just as He has put a fragrance into every flower; and it is folly to add these wretched and artificial flavors to our food.

NO RIGHT TO THROW BRICKS

Dr. Evans, formerly health commissioner of Chicago, commenting on the milder table stimulants, says: “Tea and coffee are both stimulants, the same as alcoholic drinks are stimulants. I have no sympathy for the tea soak or the coffee soak. They have very little right to throw a brick at the whisky soak.”

I have seen many patients just as miserable and wretched when deprived of their accustomed cup of tea or coffee as the poor inebriate is when deprived of his usual glass of brandy. Tea and coffee are drugs and not foods, and hence should really come from the drug store instead of the grocery.

WHOLESOME RECREATION

In our generation so much is said about the virtues of the strenuous life, that we have almost come to believe it is a sin to go apart and rest ourselves a while. Mark 6: 31.

The streets of our large cities are filled with people whose nerves are worn to a frazzle, who are enabled, by the stimulants they are taking, to drain their last atom of nerve energy in keeping up with the frantic procession. Such people should be convinced that they would save time by taking wholesome and harmless recreation.

The very best and most profitable diversion is found in turning aside from the wearing grind of daily drudgery, to extend some helpful ministry to needy humanity. Its reflex influence imparts an inspiring thrill to the entire system.

Instead of chasing to theaters to over-excite the already feverish mind, go out and hunt up the poor, the suffering, the outcast, the downcast, and the downtrodden. By some kindly act, by some loving ministry, let a little sunshine into their lives. Strange as it may seem, you will come away from such an experience not only refreshed but rested. You will find such service both a stimulant and a tonic.

Pray Hiking

By A. E. Place

SOME time ago, I read a little incident which deeply impressed me, and has remained with me. As some of the Signs readers may not have noticed it, I give it with brief comments.

Two little girls, both Christians, were one morning hurrying to school, conscious of the fact that they were late in starting. One of the girls, between breaths, said: "Mary, I fear we will be late. Let's kneel down and ask God to keep us from being late." "No, Jane," said Mary; "let's hike right along, and pray while we are hiking."

Jane consented, and they hurried on, and we believe they reached the school in time.

What great teachers the children are! The Master said, "Except ye . . . become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:3.

It is a good thing to take time to pray kneeling. In fact, I can not understand how any one who can kneel, can be a Christian and not often kneel in prayer. But if a child has neglected it till there is danger of being late at school; if the man has neglected it till he has but fifteen minutes to catch his train, and there is a mile and a half to walk,—then it would seem far more appropriate for them to pray "hiking," or perhaps running, than kneeling. And an appropriate prayer might be, "Lord, help me to do the best I can; and if Thou seest I can not make it, please hold the train, and by Thy grace I will try to start earlier next time."

He who kneels down and prays God to walk or run for him, need not expect to get either to school or to the train on time.

He who kneels down and prays God to pay the church debt, the school debt, or his own debt, and does no "hiking" himself, might as well ask God to pay the national debt.

God helps men and children to help themselves, and that is the only true help that can be given to any one who is still able to "hike." A dime to a beggar often means another drink of whisky, and stimulation to beg some more, and let "the other fellow" work.

If we wait and pray for "something to turn up," when we might, in God's name, and in our God-given manhood, turn something up, we will be classed with that company who say, "Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say." Such will be late here, and late at the gate of heaven.

Would it not be better to take Mary's advice, "Let's hike right along, and pray while we are hiking"?

A. E. PLACE.

For Sale

Five-room cottage, with large sleeping porch, bath, hot and cold water, fireplace, two acres of land, with plenty of wood for fuel. Ten-minute walk from Pacific Union College, St. Helena, California. Would like to sell at an early date. For further information address Mrs. C. L. Taylor, St. Helena, California.

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"Tormented Forever and Ever"

One of the most fearful utterances in the whole Bible regarding the wicked, a wrong conception of which has made men infidels. This tract presents an exposition of the text which is reasonable and just—a vindication of God's character. B. S. L. No. 111. Price $1.00 per hundred; single copies, 2 cents.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.

Christ Our Advocate—The Sanctuary

By Editor

There is no one thing in the Scripture more illuminating, more comprehensive of all the teachings of the Word, than the subject of the sanctuary, revealing as it does the object and purpose of sacrifice, and the priesthood and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. This little pamphlet on this great subject is 10 cents.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.

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Sensible Advice

By J. O. C.

It seems that California barbers feel somewhat ill used on account of Sunday patronage. But why should they? The shops in which nearly all of them work are unionized. That is, their proprietors are bound by association contract not to do anything disapproved by the state-wide union. But it is said that union members are agreed, one and all, that they should have relief from their semi-bondage, and to this end ask the state to give them what they so greatly desire. To secure the support needed, they have appealed to the churches to circulate, in their behalf, an initiative petition asking that a general Sunday law, prohibiting all labor on that day, be submitted to the vote of the people next November.

Does not this strike one as a strange proceeding, — that because they, as barbers, do not want to work on Sunday, they should seek to compel, by law, every other class of workers to refrain from Sunday labor, whether they want to do so or not? Why should the barbers assume the initiative for others besides themselves, without reference to their wishes in the matter? But further, why go to all the trouble and expense of printing petition blanks to circulate over the state, in the hope of securing a maximum 32,000 signatures, and if successful in this, assess the state in uncalculated outlay for printing the proposed law and sending it to every voter in the state, when there is a shorter and better way of closing their business?

This shorter and better way is summed up in the following terse paragraph clipped from a late Los Angeles Tribune. Under the heading, "The Poor Barber," it states the case this way:

"Barbers frequently complain that they have to work Sundays, and ask for legislative relief. It is a little difficult to understand why, if they all feel this way, they do not refrain from working Sundays. Such would seem the easy and natural course."

This must be counted as sound, sensible advice. Would that the barbers' union had wisdom enough to follow it! J. O. C.

Peace Organizations and Their Work

SEVERAL years ago, Mr. Andrew Carnegie gave ten million dollars to the establishment of the "World Peace Foundation." This vast sum of money was invested so as to bring in a proportionately large income each year, all of which was to be used in promoting sentiments of peace throughout the world. More recently he has given twenty million dollars for the purpose of establishing an organization known as the "Church Peace Union." These are two of the leading peace organizations of this time, and the objects toward which these large sums are dedicated, are certainly worthy ones.

The Church Peace Union will convene in conference at Constance, Switzerland, Sunday morning, August 2. The Insel Hotel will be headquarters during the meeting. This conference will be composed of about one hundred leading clergymen from various parts of Europe, and about fifty from this country.

Among the interesting topics that will be discussed, are "The Advancing Organization of the World," "The Roman Catholic Church and the Peace Movement," "The Peace Movement in the Churches," "The World Congress of the Churches as the Outgrowth of the Conference."

The modern peace organizations and the work they are proposing to do, form one of the most significant movements of our times. To labor truly for peace is commendable. One of the titles of the Lord Jesus Christ is "Prince of peace." Angels, in announcing His birth, made the great proclamation, "On earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14.

On the other hand, we also have the word, "There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." Isa. 48:22. The Book also warns against men who cry "Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jer. 8:11. And then, as the climax to these statements, we find the prediction, "When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thess. 5:3.

The true principles of peace are supported only by the power of the gospel itself; but there will be many who will be carried away with the enthusiasm of great organizations, and be led to believe that they have built up a structure that can insure the peace of the world. And then, when they are in the midst of their mistaken utterances of peace and safety, sudden destruction comes.

The great majority will be attracted to these movements. Yet confidence in their success is misplaced, because their work is along lines that can never produce peace. It is literally true that there can be no peace where wickedness reigns; and those who hope for it, will be deceived.

God's own word is authority for the statement that it will be when the great majority of mankind are saying "peace and safety," that "sudden destruction" will come. This is not human theory. This is not personal speculation. It is what the divine Book says. And the Scriptures locate in "the last days" this peace and safety song that "they" are singing.

If there was ever a time when men needed to think carefully about what they are doing, and to be sure that they are following the leading of God, it is now; for the world is full of voices that are calling us from every direction to participate in numerous reforms. The good old Bible is the only infallible guide, and it should be studied if we desire to know the meaning of all that we see about us.

A Mighty Campaign Document.

By Editor

IS the Temperance Number of the "Signs of the Times" just off the press.

In its graphic illustrations; in the character and strength of its articles; in the personnel of the writers who have contributed to the paper; in the fact that the whole question is so broadly covered; in the array of testimonies to the worth of temperance and prohibition from presidents, judges, soldiers, governors, physicians, labor leaders; in its tremendous appeals to the reason and sober sense of the people; in other notable features,—we know of nothing among all the good things which are pouring out from the presses, that is more worthy of the most extensive circulation than this number.

It should be used wherever the question is agitated, as a convincer, and wherever it is not, as an educator.

More than thirty different articles, more than a dozen striking illustrations.

The price is five cents a copy; 5 to 30 copies, three cents each; 40 or more copies, two and one half cents each. Address Pacific Press, Mountain View, California.

The Young Man's First Drink

COL. W. H. OSBORN, U. S. commissioner internal revenue, says: "The greatest benefit of removing the saloon is to the young man who never drank. Some may argue that they will send off and get the whisky. In all my years of observation and experience, I have never known a young man who had never taken a drink to send off and get a jug of whisky and drink it. The young man usually learns to drink in saloons, where he can get a cool glass of beer, a sherry cobbler, or a cocktail."

M. C. Wilcox Called to Loma Linda

By Editor

Elder M. C. Wilcox, who for about a quarter of a century has been connected with this institution, most of the time as managing editor of the Signs of the Times, has responded to an urgent call from the General Conference brethren and the management of our college at Loma Linda, California, to connect with that institution as Bible instructor. Our Board has released him for one year for that purpose. In connection with his work at Loma Linda, he will have charge of the Question Corner department of this journal, also act as a regular contributor to its columns, and contribute to the Signs of the Times Magazine.

California Government Land Open to Settlers

Several hundred thousand acres of government land are about to be thrown open to settlers in California. Where these lands are located, with the terms and plans upon which they can be secured from the government, and all other necessary information, may be had by addressing the United States land offices at San Francisco, Los Angeles, Susanville, Visalia, Eureka, Sacramento, and Independence, California, or by writing to the general land office in Washington, D. C.

North Dakota’s Remarkable Record

NORTH DAKOTA, a prohibition state, stands second in the list of states for bank deposits per capita, Maine, the oldest prohibition state, being first. North Dakota stands first in having the smallest proportion of her people in the penitentiary. It has the lowest death-rate of any state in the Union, and the largest per capita school funds in the world.

Multimillion Fraudulency

By Editor

ONE of the most sensational things that has ever been sprung upon the commercial world is the report filed with Congress by the Interstate Commerce Commission, which has been investigating the conditions of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford railroad company. It indicates that in the neighborhood of one hundred million dollars was illegally and fraudulently taken from the stockholders of that corporation.

This report incidentally shows the large figures in which business crookedness may be conducted in these times, as well as the large figures in which fortunes are amassed. Following the filing of the report, the minority stockholders of the unfortunate railroad have filed a suit for $306,000,000 against the officers of the company.

It is just such fraudulent management among the great kings of finance, that furnishes the texts for the socialist and the labor agitator and the rest of that class of people who are said to be stirring up discontentment throughout the world. But who will dare say that their texts are not founded in fact, and that if it were not for these counter-agitations, the men of wealth would soon be so oppressive that the great mass of mankind would be brought into abject servitude to these money barons?

That all or any of the doctrines of the socialists and the labor leaders are correct, it is not within our province either to affirm or to deny. But it is our duty to point out the great fact that these conditions of fraud and oppression are in existence, and that the capitalists are furnishing the occasion, in myriads of instances everywhere, for the discontentment that is arising.

This discontentment will grow worse and worse, and become stronger and stronger, until the whole world will stand in the shadows of anarchy. God's mighty power is holding these things in check, but God's prophetic word, as we have pointed out again and again, tells us that the last days will be perilous. And one of the plain reasons for these perils is the great selfishness of men.

But it would not be right to say that this greed and selfishness is all confined, by any manner of means, to the wealthy class. It is inherent in human nature. It will never do to try to laugh these statements out of court. Watch the trend of events, and see how conditions will become more and more riotous, anarchistic, and violent; and as you see these things coming, understand of a surety what they mean. It is unpleasant to write such matters, in the face of the jeers that so many people have to offer. But a definite conviction, based upon what God's prophetic word plainly says, requires the doing of it.