Appendix 1

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

Why 74 - Absorption through skin (What 71)

M. of H. page 276 – “The garments worn absorb the waste matter that passes off through the pores; if they are not frequently changed and washed, the impurities will be reabsorbed.”

S. G. page 140 – “And if the garments worn are not frequently cleansed from these impurities, the pores of the skin absorb again the waste matter thrown off. The impurities of the body, if not allowed to escape, are taken back into the blood, and forced upon the internal organs. Nature, to relieve herself of poisonous impurities, makes an effort to free the system, which effort produces fevers, and what is termed disease.”

Comment – It is very difficult to get anything to pass through the skin without breaking the skin first. No waste material can be absorbed through the skin. Dead skin cells and microorganisms come off the outside of the skin and contaminate clothes. Microorganisms can re-infect from dirty clothing.

Score – Unverified

What 72 - Sanitation

M. of H. page 279-80 – “No refuse was allowed to remain within or about the encampment. The Lord said: "The Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy." Deuteronomy 23:14.”

The text before stated:“Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. Thus refuse should read excrement and it is talking about sanitation.” Deuteronomy 23:12, 13 (NIV) This gives a clearer picture than the paraphrase used by Ellen White.

S. G. page 141 – “Also they were commanded of God to have no impurities upon the premises within a great distance of the encampment,”

Comment - All would agree.

Score – Significant

What 73 – Wet House Sites

M. of H. page 274 – “So far as possible, all buildings intended for human habitation should be placed on high, well-drained ground.”

Page 275 - “If we would have our homes the abiding place of health and happiness we must place them above the miasma and fog of the lowlands,”

S. G. page 144 – “Dwellings, if possible, should be built upon high and dry ground.”

Comment – It had been observed that malaria and several other fevers were more common in lowlying wet areas. The role of mosquitoes in carrying diseases was unknown. Malaria was and still is one of the world’s greatest killers. Unfortunately even though this is a correct statement, building away from wet areas is insufficient protection to control this disease and thus I have not given it a significant status.

Score – Minor

Why 75 - Wet House Sites (What 73)

M. of H. page 274 – “This will ensure a dry site and prevent the danger of disease from dampness and miasma. This matter is often too lightly regarded. Continuous ill-health, serious diseases, and many deaths result from the dampness and malaria of low-lying, ill-drained situations. “

Appendix 1

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

S. G. page 144 – “If a house be built where water settles around it, remaining for a time, and then drying away, a poisonous miasma arises, and fever and ague, sore throat, lung diseases, and fevers, will be the result.

Comment - By 1900 it had been discovered that malaria was not from bad air as folk beliefs had claimed it to be throughout the centuries. It occurs in damp areas because of mosquitoes. The miasma theory that was the accepted theory in 1864 was still used by Ellen White in 1905.

Score – Unverified

What 74 - Quarantine

M. of H. page 278 – “"All the days wherein the plague shall be in him [the leper] he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; Leviticus 13:46”

Comment – I can find no earlier statements about quarantine, however it was a normal practice from antiquity to cope with infectious diseases.

Score – Significant

IX. TRUST IN DIVINE POWER and SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS What 75 - Trust in Divine Power A 167

M. of H. page 247 – “Abiding peace, true rest of spirit, has but one Source. It was of this that Christ spoke when He said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." John 14:27. This peace is not something that He gives apart from Himself. It is in Christ, and we can receive it only by receiving Him.

Christ is the wellspring of life. That which many need is to have a clearer knowledge of Him; they need to be patiently and kindly, yet earnestly, taught how the whole being may be thrown open to the healing agencies of heaven.”

Page 225- “The Scripture says that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1); and if ever there is a time when they feel their need of prayer, it is when strength fails and life itself seems slipping from their grasp.”

Page 227 - “In the word of God we have instruction relative to special prayer for the recovery of the sick. But the offering of such prayer is a most solemn act, and should not be entered upon without careful consideration.”

S. G. page 144 – “When we do all we can on our part to have health, then may we expect that the blessed results will follow, and we can ask God in faith to bless our efforts for the preservation of health.”

Comment – Previously Ellen White had used “a clear conscience” (Healthful Living, 1897, page 246) rather than “trust in divine power”.

In 1960 it was considered that there was no relationship between spirituality and health. It is now known that there is need for humans to have a faith and confidence in the future to have a strong immune system. It has been shown that prayer improves recovery rate. Even in double blind experiments, where neither the patient or the doctor know of the prayer, there is still a slight improvement in recovery from illness.

M. of H. page 281 – “"A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine." Proverbs 17:22. Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trust in God's love and care--these are health's greatest safeguard.

Appendix 1

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

Page 241 – “Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. "A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine." Proverbs 17:22. In the treatment of the sick the effect of mental influence should not be overlooked.”

Page 251 – “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise.”

S. G. page 145 – “If such would engage in cheerful, healthy labor, they would rise above poor feelings.”

Comment – In 1960 there was doubt as to whether our mental attitude had much bearing on physical health. It is now known that our mental attitude greatly influences our immune system. Being happy gives a strong immune system. It also has bearing on the chances of getting heart disease.

Score – Significant (1960 – Minor)

Why 76 – The Mind (What 76)

M of H page 241 – “The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes.”

Page 128 – “They should study the influence of the mind upon the body, and of the body upon the mind, and the laws by which they are governed.”

S.G. page 146 – “A diseased body affects the brain.” Comment – This is now regarded to be a true statement.

Score – Verified

M. of H. page 241 - “Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death. Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination.”

1868, Testimonies for the Church Vol 1, page 702 - “Nothing is so fruitful a cause of disease as depression, gloominess, and sadness. Mental depression is terrible.”

Comment – As with cheerfulness it is known that depression greatly influences our immune system and our recovery from disease

M. of H. page 219 – “even a lack of sympathy, may turn the scale that is balancing life and death,” Page 244 – “Sympathy and tact will often prove a greater benefit to the sick than will the most skillful treatment given in a cold, indifferent way.”

1864, Selected Messages, Book 2, page 458, from “How to Live” No 4 – “But the sick should not be neglected. They should have the best of care, and the sympathy of friends and relatives.” Comment – This was not fully appreciated until it was realised that our relationship with others influences our immune system.

Score – Significant (1960 – Unverified)

What 79 - Family life

M. of H. page 356 - “The family tie is the closest, the most tender and sacred, of any on earth. It was designed to be a blessing to mankind. And it is a blessing wherever the marriage covenant is entered”