EXPERIENCE IN HEALTH REFORM.
By Roxanna C. Baker
I HAVE realized for some time that I have great reason to thank God for the health reform; and I would hereby acknowledge my gratitude to the great “Giver of every good and perfect gift,” that he has vouchsafed the light upon this important subject at the present time. Though my obedience to physiological law has been very imperfect at best, yet the benefit I have received is very apparent to myself and all my friends. About ten years ago I received a little glimmer of light on the health question by reading a few numbers of the Water Cure Journal. At that time I left the use of pork, and have scarcely tasted it since. I tried to live hygienically for a little while, but soon relapsed into most of my old habits again. My friends laughed at my “notions,” as they called them, and it was impossible, under the circumstances I was in, to be strictly hygienic. I think my constitution and capabilities for enjoying good health were naturally very good, for I do not recollect being sick much in my childhood. My dietetic habits had always been very bad. I had been permitted to eat between meals, and at all hours, and of all sorts of food. My good, indulgent mother, in the kindness of her heart, never dreamed that she was thus planting the seeds of dyspepsia in our systems. How many fond mothers are ruining their children’s health by the same pernicious practice. Since I was quite young I have been troubled more or less with indigestion. The little insight I obtained, at the time above mentioned, into the principles of hygiene, was too confused and imperfect to be of much benefit to me. My knowledge of the proper use of hygienic remedies was necessarily very limited, and my application of them, I have no doubt, very unskilful. Nevertheless, an interest was awakened which prepared me to receive with joy the light that shines so clearly at the present time. As it was, my health declined until I was a pale, melancholy, nervous dyspeptic, but little comfort to myself or my friends. The days and months dragged wearily by, for pain and distress, or a feeling of languor and exhaustion, quite as hard to bear, were my daily portion. Thus I lived for several years, sometimes feeling a little better, but never really well and comfortable. I used graham bread when I could get it, which was some help to me. I also understood, to some extent, the value of water and pure air. When the subject of health reform began to be agitated among us as a people, my husband and myself immediately took hold of it and tried to carry it out in our family. We abandoned the use of all flesh-meats and condiments, and our bread has been almost wholly of unbolted flour. I was quite feeble in health at this time, and performed my household duties in much pain and weariness. I adopted the system of two meals a day, and it was not long ere I was sensible of an improvement in my health. About this time our little daughter (one year old) was attacked quite severely with bloody dysentery, which rapidly reduced her flesh and strength, so that I was quite alarmed about her. An article had just appeared in the Laws of Life, giving directions how to treat this disease. These directions I tried to follow faithfully. I fed her on gruel made of sifted graham flour, and administered enemas of tepid water many times a day, and tried to restore the equilibrium of the system by the use of wet compresses and mild baths. I am thus particular in stating my method of treatment, thinking, perhaps, it may benefit some anxious mother. The disease was soon checked and she was again playing about the house as usual. But I was scarcely relieved of my anxiety concerning my child ere another trial befell me, which strongly tested my faith in the health reform. My husband was cutting hay on a very wet marsh—it was late in September and the weather quite cool—and he came home night after night with his feet wet, and both feet and limbs chilled through. I was apprehensive for his health and warned him of his danger, but as he had for the greater part of his life been robust and healthy, he paid no attention to it. At length he began to complain somewhat of not feeling very well, and one night he was taken down with chills and violent pain in his head. I tried to administer a pack, but it proved a failure, probably from my lack of skill in giving it. He grew rapidly worse, and it was a clear case of typhoid fever. I persevered, however, in the use of water, notwithstanding some of the neighbors advised me to send for a doctor, for they considered him in a very dangerous condition. The first thing that perceptibly relieved him was a hot sitz and foot-bath, taken conjunctively, and given at the highest temperature that he could bear, taking special care to keep the head cool. A strong miasmatic odor filled the room as he came from the bath perspiring profusely. The power of the disease began to be broken at this time, and his symptoms soon became more favorable, and ere long there was a decided amendment. I followed the water treatment strictly, keeping him on a very low diet till he was out of all danger. In a few weeks he began to gain very rapidly, and felt much better than he did before his sickness. The next spring he was again attacked, more violently, if possible, than before. His whole frame shook and jerked, and the pain in his head was so severe that he groaned with every breath. We prepared a hot bath and put him into it. In ten minutes the pain in his head was relieved. He retired to rest, slept sweetly, and rose in the morning quite well. I have no doubt had we understood the water treatment as well in the former instance, many days and nights of suffering might have been prevented. I have experienced great benefit myself from the use of water in various ways, and by a proper attention to diet I am no longer a poor dyspeptic. I enjoy my plain hygienic fare with a keen relish, and unless I eat in a greatly fatigued condition, am not troubled with indigestion. I enjoy better health, and feel more cheerful and happy, than I have for years before. The two-meal system we consider an important part of the health reform. I have eaten but two meals a day, with the exception of one short interval, for the27past three years, and consider this to have been one of the greatest means of restoring my health. For the benefit of some who think three meals are absolutely necessary for those who labor hard through the long days of summer, I would say that my husband has worked hard all through the past spring and summer on two meals a day only, and much of the time eaten a cold dinner, his work being too far from home to return to his dinner. Yet he has enjoyed unusually good health, and hardly complained of fatigue. Our two children, two and four years of age, eat but two meals a day, and they are bright, strong, active children. I wish more of our brethren would realize the importance of this branch of the health reform. It would be quite a help to their poor, jaded, over-worked wives. I think Bro. H. F. Phelps’ remarks on this subject were right to the point. We are trying to understand and live out the health reform in all of its branches, not forgetting to include the dress reform. Though my pride has received a severe blow, yet I would thank God for any thing that shall enable me to overcome the love of the world. I hope we shall all look upon this subject in its true light, as a blessing that God has graciously granted for our best good. I realize that it has indeed proved a blessing to myself and family. Again I would say, Thank God for unfolding to us this important branch of present truth, and may he enable us to live it out still more fully. ROXANNA C. BAKER. Mackford, Wis., Nov. 4, 1867.