GOOD HEALTH | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 14, 1877

GOOD HEALTH.

Prevention vs. Cure.

It is said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true of some diseases, at least of those of long continuance and those regarded as incurable. It is far easier, for example, to put on an extra coat or garment, when about to be exposed to the cold and damp night air, than to remove the cold thus contracted or the fever that naturally follows such a cold. The one may consume the time of a few minutes, the other that of a few months. “It is easier, or should be, to control the appetite, living properly and plainly, than to cure the dyspepsia or the gout, to say nothing of the difficulty of enduring the tortures of these kingly diseases—kingly in their origin and in their sway. The indulgence of a few moments three times each day is to be estimated in contrast with hours, and days, and weeks, and months, and years of suffering of tortures such as no man is able to justly describe. Is such an indulgence a good investment?”

It is easier to refuse the first glass of beer, cider, ale, porter or wine, than to resist the full tide of the mighty and devastating stream of intemperance when the victim, degraded, imbruted, and completely reduced to a state of the most abject slavery, feels that he can not assert his freedom—can not obey the dictates of his higher nature. It is easier to decline the first cigar proffered, or the first quid, than to control the almost insatiable cravings of one of the most tyrannical of appetites—one that ever says “Give, give.” It is easier to resist such a solicitation when every impulse and sense of the body is arrayed against this vile weed, when an absolute loathing is felt, than to array one's weakened powers against such a habit after the whole current of the physical being has been reversed, depraved, vitiated and corrupted. A single no, persistently adhered to, will suffice for the first, while many resolves, many efforts, many struggles with the insidious foe, many falls and as many efforts to rise again, have often failed of final success, leaving the fallen victim to feel that he is a slave. Yes, an unequal war, a trial of strength between man, made in the image of God, with a body “fearfully and wonderfully made,” a mind supposed to be capable of unlimited expansion, and a soul destined to endure as long as God exists on the one side, and a contemptible plant on the other. The “weed” the victor, the man the victim, the subject, and for life.

It is easier to construct a ventilator in the sleeping room by which the foul and pestiferous air may escape, and open an orifice through which a reasonable supply may enter, or to arrange windows and doors, than it is to remove that most to be dreaded of usual diseases of society, pulmonary consumption, when its firm grasp has been fixed upon the vital domain. It is easier to go out into the pure air of heaven by day, to enjoy its sweetness, to be invigorated by the blessed light of the glorious sun, breathing in joy, and strength and health, thus fortifying one against the insidious attacks of this potent disease, than to dislodge it when once it has taken possession of its unsuspecting victim.

It is easier to labor each day, doing what may be done with comparative ease and safety, and thus retain health and strength, than when reduced, emaciated and worn out by excesses and exposures, to stimulate to action dormant energies, and almost raise from the dead a body rudely sacrificed.

It is easier to avoid the ice creams, the ice water, the green and unripe fruits of all kinds, the decayed fruits and vegetables, than to resist the cholera attack so natural after such improper indulgence of articles known to be unfavorable to health. In fine, prevention is not only easier but cheaper than cure.—Health and Home.

TOBACCO.—The use of tobacco is a needless self-indulgence. But if that were all, its use might be tolerated with some degree of patience. But besides being needless and expensive, it is positively injurious to the system—violative of God's law, as written in man's physical organism. It pollutes the person, and garments of those who use it, rendering such persons offensive to all who are not contaminated with the poison. It also causes many persons to violate good manners and every consideration of decency and propriety. Yet we find teachers, professors in colleges, ministers, church members high in position, and Sunday-school superintendents, practically indorsing this inexcusable abomination, thereby becoming a stumbling-block to many. And is it strange that our boys are found trying to ape the follies of men, with these illustrious examples before them? Parents, do you wish your boys to become tobacco sots? If not, set them a good example—thus exemplifying a cardinal virtue—self-denial.