In the first article we considered our individual relationship to instruction on healthful living. Now we come to the second phase. How can the medical program of Seventh-day Adventists aid the church as a whole? This is an important question and not difficult to answer. This phase is more easily accepted by physician, minister, and layman alike, since the individual is not so closely concerned.
This is a work in which leader and people see a potential means of reaching those in dark ness by means of alleviation of suffering. Hence we establish sanitariums, clinics, and hospitals, and staff these with adequately trained medical workers. We believe /these play a vital role in allaying prejudice in Catholic, Mohammedan, Christian, and heathen countries alike. And that is right, for it is Christ's method. Of Him we read:
"During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing- the sick than to preaching. . . . The Saviour made each work of healing an occasion for implanting divine principles in the mind and soul. This was the purpose of His work."—Ministry of Healing, pp. 19, 20.
"On so large a scale did He conduct His work of healing and teaching that there was no building in Palestine large enough to receive the multitudes that thronged to Him. On the green hill slopes of Galilee, in the thoroughfares of travel, by the seashore, in the synagogues, and in every other place where the sick could be brought to Him, was to be found His hospital."—Ibid., pp. 17, 18.
Shortly after the message of health reform came to us Mrs. E. G. White was shown that we should establish a health institution. This was done in the year 1866. At that time the first sanitarium was established among us. Since then a chain of institutions has been created throughout the world. These have exerted a wide influence for good.
The Purpose of Our Sanitariums
And why do we have sanitariums? Can it be that they have been built for the sole purpose of taking care of the sick? Is it possible that we have simply observed the immense amount of sickness that exists, and that we have established these for no other purpose than to re move infected appendices and treat diseased hearts? Or is their purpose purely mercenary?
Hardly for the reasons suggested have these institutions been built at such great sacrifice. No, but rather that those who are in need of physical healing may there receive spiritual healing. There is grave danger that we shall become so engrossed in the machinery of operating these institutions that we shall lose sight of the very object for which they have been brought into existence! In the same way, in our endeavor to uphold scientific standards, we may be tempted to depart from the simple gospel of healing- that has been vouchsafed to us.
These sanitariums were established that people might be taught how to live. Education in health principles is one of the primary reasons. Many of those who come to our sanitariums are there as a. result of wrong habits of living. They have been addicted to tobacco, alcohol, tea, and coffee in addition to many errors in eating. They have not observed the most elementary rules of healthful living. If we fail to point out kindly and tactfully to those individuals the reasons for their sickness, we are re miss in our duty.
Responsibility of Medical Workers
What are some of the ways in which a sanitarium may serve most effectively? One way is through the influence of a godly life. All workers in these institutions should be fit representatives of the Great Physician. Sad to say, some of the institutional workers are not so careful as they should be.
Should a physician or a nurse teach health reform principles if he is not living in accordance with them himself? We need men and women who not only know the plan of salvation but understand and practice health reform. We need physicians who do not prescribe flesh. We need men who recognize a greater need for prayer than for pills.
The sanitarium is to be an educational institution where those who are sick as the result of wrong habits may come to receive training in right habits of living. The vast majority of patients who come to these institutions have violated some simple rule of life. They need to have these errors pointed out to them. They need instruction on what constitutes a balanced diet. They need correct eating habits called to their attention, for in many cases their diet has been too stimulating. They have eaten between meals and at irregular intervals. They have used hot, spicy foods. They have used tea and coffee freely. Many are tobacco addicts. Still others use alcoholic beverages. Many have ruined their health by dissipation in one way or another.
What a challenge this presents to all gospel medical missionary workers! The sanitarium, physician, or those associated with him who do not educate their patients in the better way of living fail to do their duty. This was Christ's program. In many cases when Jesus healed someone He would add, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee."
One element that renders this program difficult today is the trend away from sanitariums. We are living in the hospital age. Consequently, the stay in the institution is much shorter than it used to be. With this decreased time in the sanitarium there is less time for health education.
For example, a patient enters for surgery. He is prepared the night before, and partially narcotized in the morning, anesthetized, and later given sedatives, and finally gotten out of the hospital as soon as possible. This is generally at the end of a few days. With such a program, how is it possible to spend very much time in teaching a patient how to live? There is also much less opportunity for the implanting of spiritual truth. Obviously, we have in a degree defeated our very purpose of establishing sanitariums.
Why Fewer Sanitariums Today?
Another fact that gives grave concern is that we now have fewer denominational sanitariums than we formerly had. We find it more difficult to find consecrated medical workers for these institutions. There is also a trend toward larger institutions. We cannot believe from the instruction given this people by the Spirit of prophecy that this is God's plan. Shall we become like the world? God forbid.
The chief purpose for the establishment of sanitariums and hospitals is to serve as a re mover of prejudice. There are various ways in which we may carry out this program. We try to bring not only physical relief to worn and tortured bodies but, what is even greater, peace of mind and soul.
As already noted, the influence of the physicians, nurses, and attendants at the institution is important. How necessary it is that we all have a vital connection with God, and that we live our religion. We are reformers in the truest sense of the word. We have been given a message that ought to reform us physically and spiritually. Do we ourselves give evidence of this? Do we indicate in our lives that there is power in the gospel to develop Christlike characters? Do we live in accordance with the light we have received on healthful living? If we do not, then we are crippled, and the right arm cannot do its work effectively.
Aside from our influence, we must teach our patients. How shall we do this? Certainly not by keeping silent. Shall we decide that it is too difficult to give lectures in the sanitarium parlor? Shall we say to ourselves that this is not practical? Such a course is very pleasing to Satan. He does not care how much Bible we talk to people, just so we do not disturb their appetites. That lectures should be given is clear from the following quotation:
"Lectures should be given explaining why reforms in diet are essential, and showing that the use of highly seasoned food causes inflammation of the delicate lining of the digestive organs. Let it be shown why we as a. people have changed our habits of eating and drinking."—Medical Ministry, p. 286.
Are we doing this? If not, we should certainly set about to find a way to do it. We believe that it is possible to find medical workers, either in the institution or without, who are sufficiently dedicated to such a program that they will give time to it. Our sanitarium superintendents and administrators should be alert to this great avenue of education.
Lectures may be given not only in the parlors but over public-address systems. Shall we use these for radio programs and morning devotional services alone? Surely none of us would be so fanatical as to proscribe good radio programs being played to the patients, but it certainly does also seem that a daily health program should likewise be aired over these systems.
How may this be done? There are at least two ways. One is by having one of the medical workers assigned to this matter, preparing the talks or getting someone to assist him. Let different ones take turns, so that it will not become so great a burden for any one person. Probably a more practical way would be by the use of electrical transcriptions prepared by someone experienced in this. This would solve the problem in great measure, for whole series of these might be prepared on a variety of subjects. There is no reason why a series of from twenty-five to fifty might not be prepared so as to provide enough for one to two months. These could then be repeated, since the patients change at frequent intervals.
A system might be worked out so that as many of our sanitariums and hospitals as might desire could have this service. This would greatly reduce the cost of such a program. We cannot expect it to be without some cost, but it need not be a great item of expense. We do not hesitate to spend money for other services. Why should we not engage in such an educational program? We believe that this might well be a part of every sanitarium's program.
Aside from this, health publications, such as tracts and the Life and Health magazine, should be judiciously used. This program, coupled with the personal contact and instruction given by both physician and nurse in the care of the patients, should greatly aid in the restoration of health, and at the same time serve to show the reasonableness of our program. When people see this they will be in better position to listen to our doctrines.
Our sanitariums have a great work to perform in educating people away from so much drug medication, and teaching them to place greater reliance on the remedial agencies of nature. In most cases these institutions will be more effective if not large, and if located out of congested cities. There it will be possible for patients to enjoy walks in the open, in field and orchard. The fresh air, sunlight, and suitable exercise will prove conducive to the restoration of drooping spirits.
Does it pay for us to operate sanitariums? If by this we mean in a financial way, the answer is no. If we mean as an entering wedge, yes. We have been told by those who have spent years in heathen lands that medical missions do pay. When we preach but do not use the right arm the people are skeptical and shake their heads. However, when they see that we are there to help them in an unselfish way they are more inclined to listen. What the world wants today is what it wanted nineteen hundred years ago, a practical demonstration of Christianity. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in sanitariums, clinics, and hospitals, when conducted after the order of God's plan.
[End of Series]
