LIFE AND HEALTH by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 10, 1908

LIFE AND HEALTH

By Editor

In 1885 appeared Volume I, No. 1, of the Pacific Health Journal,—a 24-page bi-monthly, edited by Elder J. H. Waggoner. Volumes II and III were edited by a committee, of which no member was a physician. In 1888 the journal was issued as a monthly, and a physician acted as assistant editor from June of that year, until January, 1891, when a regular physician became editor, which plan is still followed. The present editor, Dr. G. H. Heald, began to write for the magazine about 1895, and has edited it since 1899.

Policy

The general policy of the journal in the early days was similar to that at the present time, although the common practises of the time called for a more vigorous protest against the use of drugs than is at present necessary. Doctors have learned the immense value of hygienic methods, and intelligent hygienists have learned not to disdain all internal remedies.

The circulation of the Pacific Health Journal fluctuated from 1,500 to 2,000. With the exception of one extraordinarily large edition of 10,000, the circulation had not passed 3,500 when it was removed from California to Washington, in July, 1904, and the name changed to—

Life and Health

The general field of its usefulness was to become national instead of local, and its policy was broadened. As in the early days, it continued to advocate the value of hygienic measures in preserving health. An article on the hygienic treatment of consumption, written by a layman, in the very first number of the magazine, would be accepted in most of its details by any advanced physician to-day. However, doctors at that time would not have received it, but with the advance of science the medical treatment of many diseases has radically changed, much less dependence being placed on drugs, and more on hygienic measures.

How It Grew

Realizing the importance of getting these principles of healthful living before as many persons as possible, the members of our churches were encouraged to take a few copies for distribution. About this time some began to sell them instead of giving them away, and in the course of a year about one hundred persons were ordering from five to twenty-five copies of each issue.

A few had demonstrated their ability to sell sufficient copies to warrant their ordering in larger quantities, and accordingly the number of agents increased, as well as the size of their orders, until the average circulation in 1907 was about 18,000 copies.

The greatly increased circulation which was brought about in the manner described, justified an increase in the size, from thirty-two to forty-eight pages. More illustrations were added, with the result that the average circulation during the past year has more than doubled, despite the fact that it was necessary to increase the subscription price to seventy-five cents a year. The retail price was increased to ten cents a copy when sold by agents.

Plans for 1909

In order to make room for important matter which it was felt should be given a place in a magazine proving itself so practical for the common people, it has been decided to increase the size to sixty-four pages. This additional space will afford opportunity for more and better articles by special contributors, as well as larger and better illustrations.

While those features which have most fully supplied the needs of LIFE AND HEALTH readers will be strengthened, new features will be added whenever they give promise of increasing the usefulness of the magazine. No effort will be spared to make the magazine helpful.

No definite arrangements for the details of the yearly schedule are made, in order that, month by month, that which is most timely, most useful, most in accordance with the last word of science, may be given.

Terms

While the regular subscription price will be raised after Jan. 1, 1909, to $1 a year, the publishers will receive, until that date, subscriptions at the old rate, whether from new or old subscribers, or for one, two, or more years. Agents will be pleased to know that the price for a single copy remains 10 cents; 5 to 25 copies, 5 cents a copy; 25 to 500 copies, 4 cents. Special terms on larger quantities. Subscribe now, and save from 25 cents to $1, according to the length of the subscription.