M. E. CADY by M. E. Cady

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 9, 1903

M. E. CADY

By M. E. Cady

Water

M. E. CADY

COULD we get along without water?—No! it is just as necessary as light, heat, and air. We could live for a short time without any one of these things except air; but this we must have in our lungs every moment, in order to sustain life. There is not a time when the lungs do not have some air in them.

A person could live for several hours, and even for several days, without water; but he would finally die. Plants will live for some time without water, but you have noticed that in a time of drought, the leaves curl up and wither; and if it continues, they die. In studying geography, we learn that three fourths of the earth's surface is covered with water.

The Creator causes the water in the seas and oceans to be lifted up and carried over the land surface. As it drops down upon the earth in the form of rain, it develops what we call brooks, creeks, and rivers. These flowing streams are empty into the ocean, so that the water returns again to its original place. The water travels in a circle. This truth is told us by the wise man when he says, “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.”

What is the purpose of the Creator in having the water travel in this circle?—That the earth may be watered, so it will bring forth vegetation. This vegetation constitutes food for men and for the lower animals.

It is also necessary that water should be taken into the body, in order that it may be kept in a healthy condition. What becomes of this water? Does it build up the body? If not, what is its use? Physiologists, who have studied the subject carefully, tell us that water is not a food, and does not change its form while in the body. As nearly as can be ascertained, the use of water in the body is to keep it cleansed and lubricated. Nearly three fourths of the body consists of water. It enters into all the tissues and into the blood; in fact, it circulates through the entire body, carrying particles in it which are to be thrown off as waste matter. Water is taken in at the mouth, but it is thrown off at every point of the surface of the body.

If we carefully examine the skin, we shall find that it contains many little glands, or ducts for conveying the water to the surface. The water, when separated from the body by the process of sweating, or perspiring, is not pure, but is filled with poisonous matters that have been taken up by it, while on its journey through the body.

We see, therefore, that the business of water is to keep the body well cleansed, so that each part may do its work without interruption.

Water is also a valuable agent in restoring health. It is used by the skilled nurse, in many different kinds of baths. That which is good for us when we are in health is the best thing to restore us when we are ill. Let us see that we drink good, pure water; for impure water is the cause of many diseases. I will give you a simple test, by which you can determine whether the water you are drinking is fit for use: Place the water to be tested in a small, clean bottle; add a pinch of sugar. Leave the bottle uncorked in a warm place. If the water appears cloudy within two days, it is not fit to drink.