p. 10 | HEALTH BREVITIES by David Paulson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 7, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 19.

HEALTH BREVITIES.

By David Paulson

Originally man was given dominion over every living thing; but now germs often gain supremacy over man, because the latter has lowered his resisting power until it is often beneath that of germs. Microbes have probably grown no stronger since the days of Adam, but man has certainly become weaker.

It is unfortunate, when we come to the consideration of the condition and care of our bodies, that we should have to admit that some one else knows more about them than we do.

The only legitimate way to get nervous energy is to eat proper food, breathe an abundance of heaven’s pure air, and in other ways live in harmony with nature’s laws.

The prevalent spirit of the age is a demand for labor-saving devices. Why should we not be as anxious to introduce devices that will serve to lengthen human life, and to add to its comfort by promoting health?

Harmony with nature’s laws, and diligent cultivation of health, tend to produce a physiological immunity against all diseases.

People do not appreciate that there is healing power in sunshine; and that the same power that puts color into the grass, paints the hue of health on our cheeks.

There are multitudes who, at the first suggestion of cold weather, plan for a change of climate; when if they would only change their habits of life, and cultivate health, they could not only remain at home safely, but in addition might enjoy the splendid tonic effect that a cold atmosphere produces upon the human organism.

There is a deep-seated delusion abroad that air is improved by adding tobacco smoke to it; that mustard, pepper, and the whole catalogue of irritating flavors can be advantageously substituted for those naturally present in food.

In reference to diet, some have wandered so far away into by and forbidden paths that the right road actually seems repulsive to them.

It is not advisable to filter through the body the waste products and the poisons that are found in dead animals. When a human system is used as a filter through which to strain all these waste products, it is gradually being prepared for disease.

As long as a person has a strong constitution, and his eliminating organs are capable of carrying off four times as much poison as should be necessary, so long he may perhaps eat flesh food with impunity, and even boast that it does not hurt him; but let the reverse be the case, as it is with many thousands, and the use of flesh food becomes at once an important factor in preparing the way for serious diseases.

Water-drinking is virtually a bathing of the tissues on the inside; and it is a lamentable fact that thousands who are scrupulously careful with reference to external cleanliness, almost entirely neglect this internal bathing, which is the more important of the two.

The most essential requisites for health are pure air, pure diet partaken of in proper quantity, pure water, exercise, and a conscience void of offense toward God. DAVID PAULSON, M. D.

Chicago Branch Sanitarium.