Hygiene by MRS. M. E. STEWARD

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 4, 1912

Hygiene

By MRS. M. E. STEWARD

MRS. M. E. STEWARD

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2.

IMPORTANT sanitary agencies are sunshine, pure air, and a correct diet.

1. Sunshine. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5. “The legitimate work of the sun is uplifting, healing, blessing. Christ is called “the Sun of Righteousness,” as nothing so nearly resembles him as the natural sun.

2. Pure air, respiration. We are breathing all the time. Unless the air is pure, it is slowly but surely poisoning us. The Israelites were commanded to keep all their possessions clean; then the air would not be polluted. See the law of Moses.

3. Diet. “Eat ye that which is good.” Isa. 55: 2. Adam subsisted on the products of the vegetable kingdom. It was a simple, palatable, nutritious dietary, beneficial, good for both body and mind.

Three other necessary hygienic agencies:—

1. A healthful dress. The organs can not properly perform their functions under compression, when chilled with insufficient clothing, or enfeebled with an unnecessary amount or an unequal distribution. The dress should be modest, neat, and pleasing. 1 Tim. 2: 9.

2. Exercise. One breathes faster when exercising than when in repose. By increasing the amount of oxygen taken into the blood, the general health is improved. Exercise develops and hardens the muscles, keeps the cartilages and joints flexible and strong, and the mind active and amiable.

3. Rest. “Passing through the day under a high pressure is very wearing to the vital machinery, and night often brings too little relief. The heart and lungs rest half the time; why do not the other parts of the body need as much rest?”

Indispensable agents:—

1. Faith—faith that works by love. “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Ps. 37: 3. These promises embrace all minor points. Faith in God will give rest; doing good will bring gladness, which will react in a manifold blessing on the doer. Prov. 17: 22.

2. Energy, will-power. The Saviour is represented as saying, “I have set my face as a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isa. 50:7. Determination often succeeds where irresolution falters and fails. It will soothe the nerves, quicken the circulation, and conquer much actual disease. Mastery should be maintained over all appetites and passions. The appetite is a steward, divinely appointed to regulate food supplies. Its manifestation is hunger, which is the demand of the whole body for nutrition. Being very easily perverted, it is necessary to place it under enlightened reason and self-control. The wise man condemns the “drunkard and the glutton” and “the riotous eaters of flesh.” Prov. 23:20, 21. Passion is poison to the entire physical organization. Anger has caused death, while “jealousy is cruel as the grave” (Cant. 8:6); but “pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Prov. 16:24.

3. Cleanliness. The Canaanites were deprived of their land because they had defiled it. Lev. 18:25. Cleanliness is a correct measure of civilization. Savages live in filth. As civilization advances, they begin to clean up; then they are ready for the gospel; sanctification carries on the work till they are prepared for heaven. Dirt begets immorality; the dangerous quarters of cities are always filthy. Uncleanliness is a hot-bed for germs, which cause disease.

Sanitarium, Cal.