Appendix 1

Health & Medical statements found in The Ministry of Healing (M. of H.), 1905 Spiritual Gifts Volume 4 (S. G.), 1864

the irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart and short-lived energy to the entire system. All this is false strength that we are the worse for having. They do not give a particle of natural strength.”

Comment – Caffeine is absorbed and the effects are directly on the brain and muscles. It was not considered at the time that digestion could occur fast enough to explain the rapidity with which drugs affected the body. Graham considered that they irritated the stomach and through the sympathetic nervous system other organs were brought into sympathy with the stomach and so they are affected. (This is how the name sympathetic nervous system acquired its name.) Ellen White seems to be mirroring this opinion.

Score – Unverified

Why 16 – Nutrition of Tea (What 17)

M. of H. page 326 – “many suppose that their tea or coffee is doing them great good. But this is a mistake. Tea and coffee do not nourish the system.”

1868, Testimonies for the Churches Vol. 2, page 65 – “Tea and coffee do not nourish the system.” Comment – It is now known that tea has antioxidants. These do aid in metabolism and prevent disease. There is nothing yet known of value about coffee.

M. of H. page 327 - “Tobacco is a slow, insidious, but most malignant poison.” Page 328 - “Among children and youth the use of tobacco is working untold harm.” Page 330 - “No human being needs tobacco”

Page 335 - “In relation to …. tobacco …. the only safe course is to touch not, taste not, handle not.” S. G. page 126 - “Tobacco, in whatever form it is used, tells upon the constitution. It is a slow poison.”

Comment - By 1960 smoking was seen as a dirty, smelly habit that was not really dangerous. It was only a short time earlier that smoking was advised for chest problems and to relieve tension. Now smoking is known to be addictive and one of the most dangerous of all lifestyle habits. It is associated with heart disease, lung disease, cancer, vascular disease including strokes, and depression of the immune system. The World Health Organisation considers smoking causes 12.2% of disability and death in developed countries. In the Victorian Burden of Disease Study, tobacco is blamed for 9.5%. This is the highest of all risk factors to health.

Score – Significant (1960 – Unverified)

Why 17 – Smoking Tobacco (What 18)

M. of H. page 327 – “It excites and then paralyzes the nerves. It weakens and clouds the brain. Often it affects the nerves in a more powerful manner than does intoxicating drink.”

Page 328 – “Among children and youth the use of tobacco is working untold harm. The unhealthful practices of past generations affect the children and youth of today. Mental inability, physical weakness, disordered nerves, and unnatural cravings are transmitted as a legacy from parents to children….. The habit thus formed when body and mind are especially susceptible to its effects, undermines the physical strength, dwarfs the body, stupefies the mind, and corrupts the morals.”

S. G. page 126 – “It (tobacco) affects the brain and benumbs the sensibilities, … And while they are using slow and sure poisons, which are ruining their health,”

Page 128 – “Tobacco is a poison of the most deceitful and malignant kind, having an exciting, then a paralyzing influence upon the nerves of the body.”

Appendix 1

Health & Medical statements found in The Ministry of Healing (M. of H.), 1905 Spiritual Gifts Volume 4 (S. G.), 1864

Comment - A range of diseases including chest infections, lung cancer and heart diseases are related to smoking. The effect of carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke does cause reduction in oxygenation of the brain and there is stunting of the growth of the foetus of a smoking pregnant woman. Despite a number of inaccuracies in Ellen White’s description I felt that there is still enough correct to give a full score.

Score – Verified

What 19 - Intoxicating Drink R 8 G 26 (A 67) (C 16) J 34 K 42

M. of H. page 335 - “In relation to …. alcoholic drinks, the only safe course is to touch not, taste not, handle not.”

Page 331 – “Persons who have inherited an appetite for unnatural stimulants should by no means have wine, beer, or cider in their sight, or within their reach”

S. G. page 124 – “Stimulating drinks have been used freely, which have confused the brain and brought down man to the level of the brute creation.”

Comment - By the 1960s it was believed that, by education, it was possible to train people to drink moderately and limit the ill effects of alcohol. At this time drink driving laws were not well enforced. There was much public debate about these laws.

Now we know that one in 10 people who take their first alcoholic drink will become alcoholic, or become physically damaged. This outweighs the beneficial effects of alcohol on the heart. Alcohol is now recognized as an immune system depressant. The World Health Organization concludes that the dangers of alcohol outweigh the benefits and that the desirable alcohol intake is zero. The World Health Organisation considers alcohol contributes 9.2% in the loss of health in developed counties. The Victorian Burden of Disease Study attributes alcohol to 4.7% of loss of active healthful life with an increase of 2.5%, leaving a total burden of 2.1%.

Score – Significant

Why 18 - Intoxicating Drink (What 19)

M. of H. page 331 – “The bleared, besotted wrecks of humanity …. And who can picture the wretchedness, the agony, the despair, that are hidden in the drunkard's home? … Think of the frightful accidents that are every day occurring through the influence of drink.”

S. G. page 124 – “Stimulating drinks have been used freely, which have confused the brain and brought down man to the level of the brute creation. While intoxicated, every degree of crime has been committed,”

Page 125 – “It required time to benumb the sensibilities of the mind. It was done gradually, but surely.”

Comment – It is known that nearly 10% of all drinkers are potential alcoholics.

Score – Verified

What 20 – Opium G 28 (A 68) C 18 J 37

M. of H. page 126 – “Many of the popular nostrums called patent medicines, and even some of the drugs dispensed by physicians, act a part in laying the foundation of the liquor habit, the opium habit, the morphine habit, that are so terrible a curse to society.”

S. G. page 138 - “I was shown that the innocent, modest-looking, white poppy yields a dangerous drug. Opium is a slow poison,”

Comment – No-one would disagree.

Score – Significant

Appendix 1

Health & Medical statements found in The Ministry of Healing (M. of H.), 1905 Spiritual Gifts Volume 4 (S. G.), 1864

V. REST

What 21 – Sleep R 44 G 34 A 72 C 21 (J 39) K 45

M. of H. page 303 – “The sleep is often disturbed with unpleasant dreams, and in the morning the person awakes un-refreshed”

Page 272 – “and it induces sound, refreshing sleep.”

1868, Testimonies for the Churches Vol 1, page 687 – “Sleep, nature's sweet restorer,” Comment – There is no reference to the amount of sleep required, but adequate sleep is inferred. Up until the 1960s, sleep and rest were regarded as being essential for health and healing, but the reason was not fully known.

It is now known that sleep and rest are essential for a strong immune system. Not only is 7-8 hours sleep required, but also it must occur at the same time each day for full benefit.

Regularity of sleeping, or going to bed at the same time, was a part of Ellen White’s health principles and is now known to be important for healthful sleep. This was not included in The Ministry of Healing. She first stated this in 1871. - “strictly observe regularity in sleeping” (Testimonies for the Churches Vol. 2 page 602).

Score - Significant

M. of H. page 236 – “Some make themselves sick by overwork. For these, rest, freedom from care, …. are essential to restoration of health.”

Page 236 – “To those who are brain weary and nervous because of continual labor and close confinement, a visit to the country, where they can live a simple, carefree life, coming in close contact with the things of nature, will be most helpful. Roaming through the fields and the woods, picking the flowers, listening to the songs of the birds, will do far more that any other agency toward their recovery.”

S. G. page 146 – “Others are too active in body and mind. The mind of such must rest as well as the body, and without it, will be overworked, and the constitution must break down.”

Comment – In Ellen White’s first summary of the 1863 vision, she emphasized the need for rest and relaxation. In the case of James, who was about to have a stroke, this was good advise. It is understandable that she gave more emphasis on recreational rest over sleep for the rest of her writing.

Score – Significant

VI. EXERCISE

What 23 – Exercise R 38 G 38 A 92 C 25 J 47 K 54

M. of H. page 238 – “brain workers often suffer from illness as the result of severe mental taxation, unrelieved by physical exercise. What these persons need is a more active life. Strictly temperate habits, combined with proper exercise, would ensure both mental and physical vigor,”

Page 240 – “when the weather will permit, exercise in the open air every day, summer or winter.” Page 265 – “Exercise in the open air should be prescribed as a life-giving necessity.”

S. G. page 145 - “exercise as much as possible in the open air, their names would soon be dropped from the invalid list.”

Comment - Exercise helps in the prevention of obesity, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. If not excessive, exercise strengthens the immune system and improves mental and psychological health. Not all these advantages were understood in 1960. The World Health Organisation considers physical inactivity contributes 3.3% in the loss of health in developed counties. Ellen White cites other writers to back her case about exercise. - “Notwithstanding all that

Appendix 1

Health & Medical statements found in The Ministry of Healing (M. of H.), 1905 Spiritual Gifts Volume 4 (S. G.), 1864

is said and written concerning its importance, there are still many who neglect physical exercise.” (The Ministry of Healing, page 240).

Score – Significant (1960 – Unverified)

Why 19 – Circulation (What 23)

M. of H. page 238 - “Exercise quickens and equalizes the circulation of the blood,”

Comment - Exercise greatly improves many aspects of the cardiovascular system and helps reduce hypertension. It also improves respiration efficiency. The word equalise has no meaning. The most likely meaning intended is to relieve congestion of the vital organs as the blood is diverted to the muscles. This is consistent with the reasons for keeping the limbs warm and not wearing tight clothes. Page 271 – “Whatever hinders the circulation forces the blood back to the vital organs, producing congestion. Headache, cough, palpitation of the heart, or indigestion is often the result.” Graham and Kellogg both considered congestion of the organs as a major cause of ill health.

Score – Verified

Why 20 – Wellbeing (What 23)

M. of H. page 240.2 - Light employment in useful labor, …. has a happy influence …. and gives …. satisfaction of knowing that he is not wholly useless in this busy world.”

Comment –However, exercise is now regarded as giving a sense of well being due to the release of endorphins or similar substances. It gives more energy and induces calmness. I am unaware of this being known in the 1960s.

Why 21 – Exercise and Excretion (What 23)

M. of H. page 238 – “(with inactivity) The skin, too, becomes inactive. Impurities are not expelled as they would be if the circulation had been quickened by vigorous exercise,”

Comment – The sweat from exercise is for temperature control and puffing is to cope with the increase in oxygen requirements and to get rid of the excess carbon dioxide that exercise creates. The salt in sweat is not there to eliminate salt. It is a byproduct.

Score - Unverified

What 24 – What Exercise G 39 A 96 (C 26) (J 49) K 61 M. of H. page 240 - “Walking is preferable to riding or driving,”

1868, The Health Reformer, July 1, par 6 – “Riding cannot take the place of walking”

1870, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 2, page 529 - “For those who can walk, walking is preferable to riding.”

Comment – Of all exercises, walking will do the maximum of benefit with the minimum of risk. However, many forms of exercise will safely give the health benefits.

Score – Minor

Why 22 – Walking (What 24)

M. of H. page 240 – “ for it (walking) brings more of the muscles into exercise.”

1870, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 2, page 529 - “(with walking) The muscles and veins are enabled better to perform their work.”

Comment – This not only applies when comparing walking with riding, but also with most other exercises.