While professing to be highly educated, many people to-day are guilty of inconsistencies as great as those indulged in by any Hottentot in darkest Africa.
LEWIS S. WILLIAMS
H. ARMSTRONG ROBERTS
From man's earliest history, belief in magic has been his greatest failing. It caused Eve to taste of the forbidden fruit, and it has caused the ruination and premature death of countless billions since. As civilized people, we pride ourselves in the fact that we do not believe in magic or practice its superstitions, and yet if we examine ourselves, are we not even more closely fettered by its beguiling influences than the poor Hottentot who has no scientific knowledge? Let us consider a moment.
First, it would be well to define the terms “magic” and “science.” Dr. J. F. Williams, in his book, “Personal Hygiene Applied,” gives us a brief and yet very comprehensive definition. He says: “It is the essence of science to expect results by being absolutely true to conditions. It is the essence of magic to expect results by evasion of conditions.”
This distinction is a good one. True science weighs facts, examines conditions, records experiments, checks errors, and then places its findings before the world, and invites criticism. Magic, on the other hand, ignores facts, does not consider conditions, conducts no controlled experiments, denies the possibility of error, and resents suggestions.
In applying the yardstick to our own habits, suppose we begin with the African native witch doctor, whose magic is a type that appeals to us all as gross superstition. He comes with his bones, his skins, and his wild cries to “smell out the spirits.” It matters little whether the victim is stricken with smallpox, scarlet fever, or toothache—the treatment is the same. A frenzied dance, some weird noises, a display of mysterious charms, and, presto! the evil spirits are supposed to leave. If the patient dies, it is because “the witch doctor was not called soon enough; the spirits had already done their mischief.” If the patient lives, then all glory to the magic ritual! The fakir collects his fees and increases his prestige.
To bring this comparison closer home, suppose we try to imagine the mental condition of a civilized man who would call in a witch doctor to fix his car. The mechanical trouble of the automobile would have no influence upon the treatment given, for “magic ignores conditions.” The same formula would be used to cure all ailments. The witch doctor would dance wildly around the limousine, rattling bones and wailing dismal tirades against the evil spirits under the hood. Of course, such troubles as a flooded carburetor or damp wiring might remedy themselves after a time, regardless of the incantations, and the car might start and run in perfect condition. But if there had been a knock in the rods, the knock would continue even though the witch doctor told the owner it was gone, and though the owner put cotton in his ears so he would not hear it. Of course, if the ignition were disconnected or the gas tank empty, the car could not start. In that case, the witch doctor could easily explain that next time the owner must call him sooner before the evil spirits had done the damage.
Ridiculous as this seems, yet is it not true that many of us apply the same methods in keeping this wonderful machine of ours—the human body—in good running condition? Suppose we check up on ourselves to see how we stand, remembering as we do so that if we are acting in conformity with conditions, we are scientific, but if we are ignoring conditions, we are following the dictates of magic.
In the first place, our bodies are much more complicated than any man-madePage Twomachine. They have been designed by a Master Mechanic. Adjustments will be beneficial only as they conform to our mechanical make-up. Therefore if we are to avoid the magic cult, we must understand the mechanical requirements of our bodies. This knowledge is the first step as we strive to be “true to conditions.”
We know that automobile experts have their differences of opinion, but they all agree upon the general provisions necessary to keep a car in good running condition. For instance, they all tell us that an internal combustion engine, to function properly, must have gasoline that is free from water and dirt. It must have proper lubrication, and it must have compression and ignition.
THE MECHANICAL NEEDS OF THE BODY
The mechanical needs of the body are just as definite and just as well understood. We may find them listed in any modern work on hygiene. While some writers differ as to where the emphasis should be placed, yet they all agree on the general provisions necessary to maintain health. These bodily requirements, in brief, are as follows:
Our food should be of sufficient quantity and quality to nourish the body properly. We must remember, too, that the “how” and “when” of eating are as important as the “what.”
We require proper rest and sleep.
We must have enough sunshine and breathe fresh air.
Our posture is important, and exercise is necessary.
We must avoid accidents, improper sanitation, and be cleanly in our personal habits.
We should summon medical and dental care when advisable; and keep the mind free from sordid and remorseful meditations.
Here again our compliance with these rules may be governed by magic or science. In diet, for instance, the housewife who plans her menus with care so that they include the correct ratio of food elements in pleasing variety is a true scientist. Her calculated diet insures the proper nourishment of her household. Suppose she should offer her family whatever the children's tastes dictate or her larder provides without effort,—pickles, pastries, meat, fried foods, sweets,—for breakfast, dinner, and supper! Such carelessness is a far-fetched example, to be sure, but how many of us practice “dietary magic” in lesser degree! “Oh, I know it doesn’t agree with my stomach, but once in a while I do crave it,” we say! To expect a rugged constitution with such treatment is magic no witch doctor would dare to evoke.
Likewise, the man of sedentary occupation who hunches over an accountant’s books day after day feels that an adverse fate is against him when his muscles lose their robust tone, his face pales, and his whole frame droops. No magic tonic of “Beef, Iron, and Wine,” will restore the glow of health; what is needed is the sunshine, fresh air, and exercise for which his body is starving as surely as if he were on a hunger strike. Professor Dewey declares that “the principle of magic is found whenever it is hoped to get results without intelligent control over means.” One might as well expect fabulous wealth by rubbing an Aladdin’s lamp as to expect strength of muscles by merely wishing for it!
A FAILING OF HUMANITY
In like manner we might consider all the other things contributory to health,—rest and sleep, for instance, of which some people magically expect to rob themselves without impairment of their physical being. “Science” seems rather a formidable word, but would that we all understood its vital relation to health!
When we need medical care and advice, do we visit a competent doctor, who examines us with scientific methods and apparatus, one who diagnoses first and then prescribes? or do we visit a doctor who gives a “blanket” prescription for all ailments, one who can determine our trouble by the color of our eyes or some other magical omen? Do we find a physician whose character is above reproach, whose training has been adequate, and whose experience has been broad? or do we place our lives in the hands of a quack who advertises as a great mystic, who claims that he is “free from medical tyranny,” and who regards all scientific findings as “schemes to defraud the public”? In other words, do we patronize science, or do we cater to magic?
It seems to be the failing of humanity to favor the mystic. The “Report on National Vitality,” Government Bulletin No. 30, tells us that “about 42 per cent of the deaths of persons in the United States could be prevented or postponed if the knowledge now existing among well-informed men in the medical profession were applied in a reasonable way, and to a reasonable extent.”
It does seem strange, when we analyze the situation, that civilized people cling so persistently to the magical. Anything advertised as mystic, the wonderful “cure-alls,” and the doctors who claim that “they alone have the great secret of health,”—all these seem to win the patronage of a public that “likes to be humbugged.”
When germ life is not only minutely described but its very actions are photographed in such authoritative works as “Bacteria in Relation to Man,” and “How We Resist Disease,” what but a magician can we call a doctor who denies all such science?
SCIENTIFIC HEALTH CONTROL
Upon examining their health habits, many people are heartily agreed upon one or two phases of scientific health control, but they do not recognize the importance of others. Such people are like the man who is very enthusiastic over one mechanical requirement of his car, but treats all others with disdain. For example, one’s hobby might be lubricating oil. He might be so painstaking as to test it every ten miles and change it every fifty, and at the same time run his car without water in the radiator or air in the tires. Such a person we would truthfully say was ruled by magic. And isn’t one equally governed by magic who is very enthusiastic about diet, but ignores all the other health principles?
In some sections of Africa, the natives plant their corn during the wet season, and when the dry season comes, they pray for rain. The white man plants his corn at the same time, but when the dry season approaches, he cultivates in order to keep the moisture in the ground. The native finds it easier to pray than to work. When harvest arrives, the white man is rewarded with an abundant yield, but the native’s fruits are meager. The native has been exerting faith without works, whereas the white man has been showing his faith by his works.
When we apply science to our habits, we do not deny faith. But to live above superstition, we should do everything we can to maintain our health. Then we can consistently ask God to bless our efforts.
“To take charge of one’s life is to deny magic. Such an attitude looks for results by intelligently controlling the means of achievement.” Health and happiness are within our power to choose and to possess. And are they not well worth whatever effort is necessary to obtain and preserve them?
