Medical Missionary Department
Fifth Meeting, May 19, 8 A. M.
Dr. A. C. Selmon in the chair. The topic, “How Shall Our Medical Students Receive Training in Sanitarium Methods?” was introduced by a paper read by Dr. Orville Rockwell. He referred to the importance of thorough training in sanitarium methods in connection with our institutions, and raised the query, Should this special course be taken before or after the medical course? His observation was that the early impressions are deepest, and that one thoroughly trained in drug methods does not afterward easily gain full confidence in physiological methods. The doctor suggested, as a practical solution of this question, summer courses of instruction for medical students at some of our leading institutions. Dr. A. C. Selmon suggested the intern system for graduate students, allowing graduates to enter our sanitariums as internes. Dr. Lauretta Kress seconded this suggestion, emphasizing the importance of such experience for the newly graduated physician. Dr. A. B. Olsen recommended one year’s preliminary nurses’ work in a good sanitarium, with less domestic work than the usual nurses’ course calls for, and attendance on the two senior classes. The proper time to make impressions is before the prospective physician begins his medical course. Such should learn to give treatment. Practise should accompany theory. Dr. R. M. Clarke, who finished a university medical course, told how those who have not had a thorough training in hydrotherapy have to fall back on drugs because of their insufficient knowledge of the beneficial results of water treatment. He thought that in many colleges a chair in hydrotherapy would gladly be maintained if an efficient teacher were available. Dr. W. A. Ruble said that this question presents a problem to be solved at this Conference if our work is to make the progress it should. He thought that each physician taking a course in an ordinary medical college should spend his summers in gaining a knowledge of hydrotherapy. This would not be sufficient, but would be a partial solution to the problem. If necessary, such students should have financial assistance from the conference. They must go into the bath-room, and give the treatments, or they can not prescribe them intelligently. Dr. A. A. John suggested turning one of our present educational institutions into a medical school for the training of gospel medical missionary evangelists. Dr. Lucinda Marsh said that physicians without thorough training in hydrotherapy are unable properly to train nurses for this work. Brother L. A. Hansen spoke of the principles of rational therapeutics which have come to us as a special blessing from the Lord. For those unable to take institutional training, knowledge can be gained to a practical extent by reading and a personal study of the instruction now available. Dr. D. H. Kress believed that our young physicians who have not had this training should connect with a sanitarium for a year or longer, and be willing to go into the treatment-room and see results accomplished as a result of their own efforts. Sixth Meeting, May 20, 8 A. M.
The discussion on how our medical workers shall secure experience in sanitarium methods was continued. Recommendations were suggested that those intending to take a medical course be advised to precede it by a year’s work in one of our sanitariums; also that those who have recently graduated without such training be recommended to spend at least six months in practising these methods in one of our larger sanitariums. Objection was made that too heavy requirements should not be made of medical students by giving them unnecessary work. To this Dr. R. H. Habenicht replied that the aim of the committee had been to suggest only those things which experience has shown to be absolutely essential to the person intending to take control of a sanitarium. L. A. Hansen favored making such training in sanitarium methods a requirement, because the physicians employed in our sanitariums are expected to have a thorough understanding of the methods of treatment which have distinguished our institutions. Dr. R. S. Ingersoll, recently from India, emphasized the importance of physicians who go to foreign lands being able to give the treatments as well as to prescribe them. He suggested that students devote not only a preliminary year to sanitarium work, but their summer vacations also. Dr. Charles Curtis, of Atlanta, Ga., had learned from early life to have great confidence in non-drug treatment, as his mother had always advocated pure water, pure air, good food, and a clear conscience. The successful treatment of more than eighty cases of typhoid fever by means of hydrotherapy without a single death, resulted in the establishment of a chair in hydrotherapy, diet, and hygiene in the oldest medical college in Georgia. Dr. D. H. Kress: I believe we should have a medical school, not to meet the worldly standard, but to do work in the lines indicated by the spirit of prophecy. Such a school may not receive worldly recognition. We have strong men and women who could go to the medical schools of the world, and in these, would be able to exert an influence for good, and come out fully qualified to meet any requirement. Dr. A. B. Olsen: We already have facilities for training two distinct classes that can do all the work required. I would deprecate two grades of physicians. Nurses can never know too much. I would not object to giving them a four years’ course, and let them go out as nurses. In this capacity they would in many places be far more valuable than physicians. Physicians would consult with these nurses regarding our methods of treatment where they might not if physicians were present. We should increase our nursing force. They do most essential work. They win the doctors and open doors. Our doctors should be minute-men, capable of answering a call to any field. We should be more careful in the selection of men for this work, and then give them a most efficient training. Seventh Meeting, May 21, 8 A. M.
The subject of “Uniformity in Curriculum and Text-books” was presented in a paper by Dr. Lucinda Marsh of the Wabash Valley (Indiana) Sanitarium. The paper suggested a full three years’ course in those sanitariums having the facilities for giving the advanced studies. Sanitariums not so fully equipped should attempt to give only a two years’ course, but to give this thoroughly; and then be so affiliated with some sanitarium giving a three years’ course that students can go to this latter institution and complete their work without loss of time. Dr. Lauretta Kress suggested, as a change desirable in the proposed curriculum, not less than 48 hours on “Daniel and the Revelation” given the first year. She would give more importance to the principles of health reform during the first year, and would devote more time to gymnastics, teaching the students especially to stand and sit correctly. Another topic to be given more attention was cooking. Dr. W. A. Ruble: I move that a committee be appointed to consider this curriculum, and recommend the same to the committee on plans and resolutions, said committee to consist of one representative from each of our sanitariums at this meeting. This motion was carried, and the following committee appointed: Dr. Lauretta Kress, Dr. A. B. Olsen, A. W. Semmens, Dr. Lucinda Marsh, Dr. W. E. Bliss, Dr. J. H. Neall, L. A. Hansen, Dr. J. R. Leadsworth, Dr. H. F. Rand, Dr. Orville Rockwell, Dr. A. C. Selmon, Dr. R. H. Habenicht. Elder Geo. B. Starr, of Australia, urged close contact between conferences and sanitariums, by which our nurses may be saved to the direct work. Eighth Meeting, May 23, 8 A. M.
The sanitarium gymnasium was crowded for the eighth meeting of this department. The topic for consideration was “Diet from the Bible and Testimony View-point.” Dr. Lydia Kynett Parmelee read a paper prepared by Dr. L. J. Otis. After this, a paper was read by A. W. Semmens. These papers referred to the original diet of man, given by God in Eden, and traced the successive occasions on which man fell away from this diet, and the reforms instituted by God to bring man back to a simple fare. In his paper on “Diet in the Light of the Testimonies,” Brother C. C. Crisler said, “In a brief presentation of the question of dietetics, as related to the teachings of Mrs. E. G. White, it is possible7to attempt merely an outline of underlying principles. . . . There has been an unfolding of these principles, not only in later instruction through the spirit of prophecy, but by means of study and research on the part of many scientists and conscientious men and women among the laity.” Among other generally understood facts, he enumerated that obedience to natural law must not be lost sight of by those who would be obedient to the law of God; that God has mercifully given his people the light of health reform as a means of escape from many physical dangers, as well as a means of spiritual help; that dietetic reform tends toward purity of mind and body, quickness of perception, clearness of thought, freedom from disease, spiritual insight, and growth in grace; that the principles of healthful living should be imparted freely to those who have not yet learned how to live aright; that dietetic reform is essentially progressive, and can seldom be brought about in a day, hence much patience must be exercised in teaching the people to provide a dietary that is wholesome and nourishing, as well as appetizing; that the Testimonies have urged a sensible rather than an extreme view on questions relating to the use and the non-use of certain articles of diet; and finally, that the instruction given in the Testimonies has a sound scientific basis. The soundness of the principles outlined in the Testimonies in the early days of the health reform movement among Seventh-day Adventists has in more recent years been abundantly confirmed by scientists and investigators of unquestioned authority. Elder W. C. White: The Scripture says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” Some persons teach diet from a Bible standpoint, some from the viewpoint of the Testimonies, still others from a scientific basis. Our teaching will be most forceful if we use all three, beginning with the Bible, following this with the teachings of science, and ending with instruction from the Testimonies. As presented in “Ministry of Healing,” these truths have been embodied in a form best adapted to the needs of the people. Dr. A. B. Olsen expressed deep interest in all three papers, and commended especially the paper by C. C. Crisler, because it deals in underlying principles without attempting to lay down hard and fast rules of diet. Ninth Meeting, May 24, 8 A. M.
Dr. A. B. Olsen read a paper entitled “Diet from a Scientific View-point.” After giving a brief summary of present knowledge relative to the chemical composition of foods, the doctor gave four reasons why we do not eat flesh food: (1) It is not necessary to take the life of animals; (2) there is a real and increasing danger from flesh food, owing to the fact that animal food is so generally diseased; (3) under the most favorable circumstances, meat from healthy animals, properly cared for, contains refuse which must be more or less deleterious to the system; (4) the vigorous lives of vegetarians and many endurance tests bear out the superiority of a non-meat diet. Milk, as delivered in our larger cities, is often the dirtiest food taken into the human stomach. If not known to be clean and wholesome, it should be Pasteurized or boiled. The objection to narcotics and stimulants is that they are not foods, that their only influence upon the body is that of poison. All artificial appetizers act as irritants, and disturb digestion. There is much more tendency to over-eat than to under-eat. Dr. J. R. Leadsworth: In order to counteract the putrefaction which readily occurs in the large intestine as a result of a meat diet, sour-milk products are being used freely; but it is doubtful whether the lactic acid from these products reaches the large intestine; the best remedy is a dietary consisting more of grains, paste foods, and rice, with fruits, eliminating meats. Dr. W. S. Sadler: It is useless to have good digestion and good assimilation unless the system is provided with enough oxygen, through proper breathing. Until people breathe sufficiently, so that the body is supplied with a proper amount of oxygen, these people will have indigestion and other disorders. One may have a good diet and good digestive powers, but without physical exercise, and the fresh air which this demands, he will continue to have indigestion and other similar disorders. Dr. Gardner told how infants suffering with indigestion resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygen have been quickly relieved by a proper supply of fresh air. Dr. David Paulson stated the fact, demonstrated by experiment, that a person engaged at hard mental labor requires no more food than a person doing no work at all. He recommended a very helpful book, “Scientific Nutrition Simplified,” by Dr. Brown, in which the results of recent discoveries along the line of digestion and nutrition are so presented as to be readily understood by the common people. Dr. D. H. Kress deplored the lack of attention to dietetics in medical schools. Experiments have shown that at least one-third less food, with proper mastication, is better for the body than the usual amount consumed in the way it is usually eaten. A mistake is made in using too much super-cooked food. Appetizing food should be selected. Even good foods should be relished, if we are to receive from them the benefit we should. E. C. Widgery (of British Guiana) related his own experience as a result of following out the statement of one of our foreign missionaries, that the foods natural to the different countries seem to be the best suited to people living in such countries. He had followed a vegetarian diet, using no milk, eggs, or butter, but using in their place, milk from the coconut, and other natural products of the country. His health had been much better than it was fourteen years earlier in the same country, when such a diet was not adhered to. Tenth Meeting, May 25, 8 A. M.
The time was occupied in a continuation of the discussion on diet. The digestibility of starch as a result of cooking was first emphasized, then the application of certain Bible texts to the question of a flesh diet was discussed. This discussion brought out that while the Bible gives the diet best suited to man’s needs, it also recognizes the necessity of using other foods when these are not obtainable, and that if a diet is chosen which man has been taught is not the best, God will still give to him the best methods in following the course of his own choice. Dr. Kress stated he attributed his success in teaching health principles to the fact that he adheres strictly to the teachings of the Bible along these lines. Dr. David Paulson said that Christ, in deciding the question of divorce, stated a fundamental principle that applies to diet. In the beginning it was not so, but because of the hardness of the hearts of the people, certain things were permitted. Dr. A. B. Olsen emphasized the danger of being too dogmatic in recommending certain foods, and the need of showing sufficient respect to the opinions of others. There is much in the old adage, “What is one man’s food is another man’s poison.” By being too extreme, we may harm the cause of health reform instead of helping it. “On the other hand,” he said, “I believe there are certain principles in regard to diet in which we can all agree, and stand shoulder to shoulder. In the matter of intoxicants, I believe we stand on the platform of total abstinence, also in the use of condiments, and of tea, coffee, and similar beverages, and in total abstinence from flesh as an article of food. After we have passed these things I feel that we should be modest in urging any particular dietary.”