Appendix 1

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

bad tempers. The victims of poor cookery are numbered by thousands and tens of thousands. Over many graves might be written: "Died because of poor cooking;" "Died of an abused stomach." Comments – It is true that thousands die of ill-cooked food, but this is through diseases such as cholera, typhoid and food poisoning and not as described.

Score – Unverified

M. of H. pages 298 – “Persons who have accustomed themselves to a rich, highly stimulating diet have an unnatural taste, and they cannot at once relish food that is plain and simple. …. But those who persevere in the use of wholesome food will, after a time, find it palatable. Its delicate and delicious flavors will be appreciated, and it will be eaten with greater enjoyment than can be derived from unwholesome dainties.”

S. G. page 130 – “Persons who have indulged their appetite to eat freely of meat, highly-seasoned gravies, and various kinds of rich cakes and preserves, cannot immediately relish a plain, wholesome, and nutritious diet. Their taste is so perverted they have no appetite for a wholesome diet of fruits, plain bread and vegetables. They need not expect to relish at first food so different from that which they have been indulging themselves to eat. If they cannot at first enjoy plain food, they should fast until they can.”

Comments - It would have been an observed fact that our taste influences our choice of food and this taste is capable of change. This in itself is not a health factor, but is a handicap to many people making a change to the better.

Score – Minor

Why 67 – Food that is Disliked (What 64)

M. of H. page 300 – “If the food eaten is not relished, the body will not be so well nourished.” Comments Once eaten there is no difference to the nutritional value of a food whether we liked it or not. It is possible that we will not eat sufficient if we detest the food, but we rapidly adjust when need dictates—“Hunger is the best sauce.”

Score - Unverified

Why 68 – Adjustment to Diet Change (What 64)

M. of H. page 298 – “It will take time for the taste to become natural and for the stomach to recover from the abuse it has suffered. …. And the stomach, in a condition, neither fevered nor overtaxed, can readily perform its task..”

Page 316 – “When the use of flesh food is discontinued, there is often a sense of weakness, a lack of vigor. Many urge this as evidence that flesh food is essential; but it is because foods of this class are stimulating, because they fever the blood and excite the nerves, that they are so missed. Some will find it as difficult to leave off flesh eating as it is for the drunkard to give up his dram; but they will be the better for the change.”

Comments - There is no recovery from a damaged stomach caused by a non-vegetarian diet. The reason for the period of adjustment is one of taste as well as the adaptation of the bacterial flora in the large bowel.

Score – Unverified

What 65 – Clean Food

M. of H. page 365 – “The constant liability to contact with disease, the prevalence of foul air, impure water, impure food,”

Appendix 1

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

Comments - There appears to be no other reference to the cleanliness of food. The need for clean food that is not contaminated with chemicals or bacteria is essential for health. This involves food preparation, cooking and preservation.

Score – Significant

VIII. USE OF WATER

Water is mentioned in a number of ways as being essential to health.

What 66 - Pure Drinking Water G 93 A 151 J 75 K 87

M. of H. page 237 – “In health and in sickness, pure water is one of heaven's choicest blessings.” S. G. page 133 – “blessings of Heaven, such as …. pure water”

Comment - The provision of a pure water supply is the one factor that has had the greatest influence on human health. The World Health Organisation considers poor water supply still contributes 5.5% in the loss of health in developing counties with a high mortality.

Score – Significant

What 66a – Soft Drinking Water R 17 G 96 A 153 J 78

S. G. page 140 – “But even then, if those who are afflicted would assist nature in her efforts, by the use of …., soft water, much suffering would be prevented.”

Comment – This is one principle that Ellen White did not continue into The Ministry of Healing. There is no doubt that the less mineral contamination there is in water the better, but the usual cause of hard water is calcium and this is not dangerous. Sodium or heavy metal contamination is dangerous. If the cause of the hardness is unknown then this is a good rule.

Score – Minor

Why 69 – Pure Drinking Water (What 66)

M. of H. page 237 – “Its (pure water) proper use promotes health.”

S. G. page 133 – “aided by pure water, a speedy and safe cure would have been effected.” Comment – It is an aid to recovery, but not as important as preventing illness from microorganisms, toxic chemicals and mineral contamination.

Score -Verified

S. G. page 136 – “beneficial effects of water, …. one of Heaven's greatest blessings.” “water …. given them to drink freely,….”

Comment – Plentiful supply of water is required for good kidney function.

Score – Significant

Why 70 – Plentiful Drinking Water (What 67)

M. of H. page 237 - “ … it (water) helps to supply the necessities of the system and assists nature to resist disease.”

S. G. page 133 - “Nature was doing her best to rid the system of an accumulation of impurities, and could she have been left to herself, aided by the common blessings of Heaven, such …. pure water, a speedy and safe cure would have been effected.”

Page 136 – “Water, …. is not allowed human beings to put out the fire (fever) which is consuming the vitals.”

Appendix 1

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

Comment – The reason water intake is kept high is to help the kidneys eliminate waste products. Severe dehydration will suppress the immune system. Water is required during a fever to replace fluid loss due to sweating. It does not cure the fever.

Score – Verified

What 68 – Hydrotherapy (R 4) G 98 C 4 (J 14) (K 90)

M. of H. page 237 – “There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease.”

S. G. page 151 – “We decided that we would not send for a physician, but do the best we could with him ourselves by the use of water” (Treating William White’s fever)

Comment – Hydrotherapy helps the rehabilitation of joint and muscular function. It releases endorphins which helps pain relief. It strengthens the immune system.

Hydrotherapy institutions were endorsed in the 1865 vision. - “I saw that our people should not remain indifferent upon this subject and leave the rich among us to go to the popular water cure institutions of the country for the recovery of health, where they would find opposition to, rather than sympathy with, their views of religious faith” (Testimonies for the Church Vol 1, page 553). This may be more of an appeal for Adventist health institutions rather that a total endorsement of hydrotherapy. She said in 1872 - “Cheerful employment will, in many cases, prove more beneficial in the recovery of health than to be treated at a water cure” (The Health Reformer, July 1 1872).

Score – Minor

Why 71 – Hydrotherapy (What 68)

M. of H. page 237 – “The external application of water is one of the easiest and most satisfactory ways of regulating the circulation of the blood. A cold or cool bath is an excellent tonic …. Both warm and neutral baths soothe the nerves and equalize the circulation …. There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease.”

S. G. page 133 - “Reduce the feverish state of the system by a careful and understanding application of water.”

Comment – These statements are basically true.

Score – Verified

What 69 – Personal Cleanliness R 25 G 102 A 156 C 65 J 81 K 89

M. of H. page 276 – “Scrupulous cleanliness is essential to both physical and mental health….. Most persons would receive benefit from a cool or tepid bath every day, morning or evening.” Page 279 – “The necessity of personal cleanliness was taught in the most impressive manner.

Before gathering at Mount Sinai to listen to the proclamation of the law by the voice of God, the people were required to wash both their persons”

S. G. page 140 – “Strict habits of cleanliness should be observed. Many, while well, will not take the trouble to keep in a healthy condition. They neglect personal cleanliness,”

1854, Manuscript recorded in Selected Messages, Vol 3, page 273-4 -“I then saw a lack of cleanliness among Sabbathkeepers. .... I saw that God would not acknowledge an untidy, unclean person as a Christian.”

Comment – There is a balance, with uncleanness resulting in increase of microorganisms on the skin, while excessive washing results in a drop of natural antibiotics on the skin. For most people the latter is not significant.

Score – Significant

Appendix 1

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

Why 72 – Personal Cleanliness (What 69)

M. of H. page 237 – “Warm baths open the pores and thus aid in the elimination of impurities.” Page 276 – “Impurities are constantly thrown off from the body through the skin. Its millions of pores are quickly clogged unless kept clean by frequent bathing, and the impurities which should pass off through the skin become an additional burden to the other eliminating organs.”

S. G. page 140 – “Impurities are constantly and imperceptibly passing from the body, through the pores of the skin, and if the surface of the skin is not kept in a healthy condition, the system is burdened with impure matter.”

1861, Testimonies for the Church Vol 1, page 275 – “they have also reproved those who were careless in regard to their apparel and lacked cleanliness of person and dress.”

Comment – The pores on the skin are for temperature control and the secretion of chemicals for the maintenance of the skin. They do not eliminate impurities. Waste products are eliminated from the kidneys or destroyed in the liver. No matter how unwashed the skin is, there is no strain put upon the kidneys.

Score – Unverified

M. of H. page 276 – “Nothing unclean or decaying should be tolerated within the home.”

S. G. page 141 – “If every family realized the beneficial results of thorough cleanliness, they would make special efforts to remove every impurity from their persons, and from their houses, and would extend their efforts to their premises.”

1854, Manuscript recorded in Selected Messengers, Vol 3, page 274 – “I saw that the houses of the saints should be kept tidy and neat, free from dirt and filth and all uncleanness.”

Comment – This is a basically true statement, but if the environment is too scrupulously clean during childhood, unfortunately there is a decrease in the strength of the immune system and an increase in asthma.

Score – Significant

Why 73 - Indoor Cleanliness (What 70)

M. of H. page 276 – “Every form of uncleanliness tends to disease. Death-producing germs abound in dark, neglected corners, in decaying refuse, in dampness and mold and must.”

Comment – There is some truth in this statement. It is now known that allergens are one of the main problems in unclean houses. It is not until the 20th century that Ellen White mentions “germs.”

Score – Verified

M of H. page 276 – “It is important also that the clothing be kept clean;”

Page 279 – “The necessity of personal cleanliness was taught in the most impressive manner. Before gathering at Mount Sinai to listen to the proclamation of the law by the voice of God, the people were required to wash ….. their clothing.”

Page 288 – “Our dress should be cleanly….. Uncleanliness in dress is unhealthful,”

S. G. page 140 – “If the clothing worn is not often washed, and frequently aired, and are not careful to keep their clothing pure.”

1861, Testimonies for the Church Vol 1, page 275 – “they have also reproved those who were careless in regard to their apparel and lacked cleanliness of person and dress.”

Comment – Dead skin cells and microorganisms come off the skin and contaminate clothes.

Score – Significant