Use of Physical Measures in Medicine

Before beginning a study of the writings of Ellen G. White on the subject of physical medicine, we should consider several factors. First of all, physical medicine, as a specialty in medicine, had not been established in her day. Many of the principles and treat­ments advocated by Sister White were in pio­neer stage and not in common use, but have since been incorporated into physical therapy, and later physical medicine. It should also be remembered that Sister White was not a phy­sician, and she did not claim formal scientific training. She did claim wisdom and knowledge from a higher source—from revelation. In har­mony with this claim her writings are unques­tionably sound and scientific.

Her main burden was to help prepare souls for eternity by acquainting them with the Sav­iour and His redeeming power. But her writ­ings were not confined to the spiritual. She had a special message on health and the treatment of disease.

Sister White was continually placing the em­phasis of her health messages on the prevention of disease and the preservation of health. She recognized disease as the result of the violation of laws of health. Her main efforts appear to have been directed at exposing and denouncing unhealthful practices, thus striking at the very cause of disease.

"Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to reestablish right conditions in the system." —The Ministry of Healing. p. 127.

"When the abuse of health is carried so far that sickness results, the sufferer can often do for him­self what no one else can do for him. The first thing to be done is to ascertain the true character of the sickness, and then go to work intelligently to remove the cause."—Ibid., p. 235.

Sister White's formal education was very lim­ited. It might be expected that one lacking in scientific training would be prone to accept un­rational principles. However, one is impressed with the soundness of her reasoning. She rec­ognized the well-known fact that disease is often the result of errors in habits of living. She also gives an explanation for the existence of disease that men of cold, scientific materialism do not comprehend. And that is the relation of sin, the transgression of the law of God, and disease as one of cause and effect.

Physiological Basis of Disease

From the following statement it may be seen that she had a good understanding of the physi­ological basis of disease. She recognized the fundamental principle of immunology, that the clinical manifestation of disease is the result or expression of resistance by the body's own de­fenses.

"God has endowed us with a certain amount of vital force. He has also formed us with organs suited to maintain the various functions of life, and He designs that these organs shall work together in harmony. If we carefully preserve the life force, and keep the delicate mechanism of the body in order, the result is health; but if the vital force is too rapidly exhausted, the nervous system bor­rows power for present use from its resources of strength, and when one organ is injured, all are affected. Nature bears much abuse without ap­parent resistance; she then arouses, and makes a determined effort to remove the effects of the ill treatment she has suffered. Her effort to correct these conditions is often manifest in fever and various other forms of sickness."—/bid., pp. 234, 935.

Much could be said concerning the vital force mentioned. Science today recognizes that man possesses a physiological reserve, which is drawn upon in times of stress. It is when one is living on this vital reserve that resistance to disease is lowered, and susceptibility to disease increased.

The Spirit of prophecy stresses the study of physiology so that the treatment of disease be not done on an empiric basis.

"It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge."—/bid., p. 127.

Natural Remedies

Much of the treatment of disease at the time of her writings was done on an empiric basis.

Strong drugs were used, the toxicity of which often made them as great a hazard as the disease itself. Against such therapeutics strong counsel was given:

"Drugs always have a tendency to break down and destroy vital forces, and nature becomes so crippled in her efforts, that the invalid dies, not because he needed to die, but because nature was outraged. If she had been left alone, she would have put forth her highest effort to save life and health. Nature wants none of such help as so many claim that they have given her. Lift off the burdens placed upon her, after the customs of the fashion of this age, and you will see in many cases nature will right herself. The use of drugs is not favorable or natural to the laws of life and health. The drug medication gives nature two burdens to bear, in the place of one. She has two serious difficulties to overcome, in the place of one."—Medical Min­istry^, p. 223.

From this statement and the following one it can be seen that Sister White advocated strengthening the body's own defense against disease, and this by natural means. It is here that we find she embraced some of the princi­ples of physical medicine.

"Nature will want some assistance to bring things to their proper condition, which may be found in the simplest remedies, especially in the use of na­ture's own furnished remedies,—pure air, and with a precious knowledge of how to breathe; pure wa­ter, with a knowledge how to apply it; plenty of sunlight in every room in the house if possible, and with an intelligent knowledge of what ad­vantages are to be gained by its use. All these are powerful in their efficiency, and the patient who has obtained a knowledge of how to eat and dress healthfully, may live for comfort, for peace, for health; and will not be prevailed upon to put to his lips drugs, which, in the place of helping na­ture, paralyzes her powers."—/bid., pp. 223, 224.

In several of her writings Sister White gives a definition of the natural means to be used in the treatment of disease. They are referred to as God's remedies, true remedies, and most effective remedies. Although there are other such references, these three appear to be the main ones:

"Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power —these are the true remedies."—Counsels on Health, p. 90.

"The sick should be educated to have confidence in nature's great blessings which God has provided; and the most effective remedies for disease are pure soft water, and blessed God-given sunshine coming into the rooms of the invalids, living outdoors as much as possible, having healthful exercise, eat­ing and drinking foods that are prepared in the most healthful manner."—Medical Ministry, p. 225.

"God's remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, clean­liness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 443.

From these statements it can be seen that diet, water, outdoor living, fresh air, sunshine. and healthful exercise constitute the natural remedies. Also listed is firm trust in God and divine power. In an individual's philosophy of life his religious beliefs play an important part, and their effect on health is a well-known fact to the psychiatrist. But in this study attention must be directed to those physical agents listed above that are now employed in the practice of physical medicine.

The effectiveness of these natural remedies is undisputed. They have stood the test of trial and have been recognized as being sound thera­peutic measures. However, in the light of ad­vancing progress in the field of chemotherapy, it may be considered that natural remedies are the most effective today. There are now many wonder drugs that were unknown in the days when these statements were written by Sister White. It must be admitted that these modern chemotherapeutic agents have saved lives, and have a definite place in medicine today. Never­theless, the basic principles of therapy advo­cated by Sister White still remain sound. Drugs are, of course, foreign to the system, and they necessitate further adaptation of the body when it is already in a state of disturbed homeostasis. While alleviating symptoms by destroying the infectious agent or by influencing certain mal­functioning growth processes, drugs may have adverse effects on other parts of the body. At best we must confess a great lack of knowledge in the field of pharmacology. The natural reme­dies are harmless to the body when applied correctly and work through aiding the body's own defense mechanisms.

"By the influence of the quickening, reviving, life-giving properties of nature's great medicinal re­sources, the functions of the body are strengthened, the intellect awakened, the imagination quickened, the spirits enlivened."---Medical Ministry, p. 231.

Water an Effective Natural Remedy

The Spirit of prophecy urges the proper use of water as an effective natural remedy. In physical medicine the use of water as a prophy­lactic and therapeutic agent is limited to its external application at various temperatures and in various forms. This use of water was recognized and advocated by Sister White. She also urged the use of water as a beverage, as well as for hygiene. Cleanliness she considered to be an essential element for physical and mental health.

"Scrupulous cleanliness is essential to both phys­ical and mental health. 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." —The Ministry of Healing, p. 276.

Sister White also understood the physiologi­cal effects of the external use of water on the body. She recognized in this medium an easy and safe means of regulating the circulation of the blood. Cool or cold water increases blood flow to the periphery and produces tonic, or stimulating, effects, whereas warm and neutral baths have sedative properties.

"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. Warm baths open the pores, and thus aid in the elimination of impurities. Both warm and neutral baths soothe the nerves and equalize the circulation."—/bid., 237.

She urged the taking of cool or tepid baths each day as a means of increasing one's resist­ance to infection. The cool bath or shower used in this way is an effective prophylactic measure, and has a definite place in physical therapy today.

"Most persons would receive benefit from a cool or tepid bath every day, morning or evening. In­stead of increasing the liability to take cold, a bath, properly taken, fortifies against cold, because it improves the circulation; the blood is brought to the surface, and a more easy and regular flow is obtained. The mind and the body are alike invigorated. The muscles become more flexible, the intellect is made brighter. The bath is a soother of the nerves. Bathing helps the bowels, the stom­ach, and the liver, giving health and energy to each, and it promotes digestion."—Ibid., p. 276.

That water treatments are actually able to check disease that has already struck, was well known to Sister White. The principle again lies in the stimulation of natural immunity mechanisms. Today hydrotherapy plays an im­portant role in the therapeutics of physical med­icine. There are actually few diseases that can­not be treated by some form of hydrotherapy in at least some stage of the illness. In the fol­lowing statement another property of water is mentioned, and this is analgesia.

"Water treatments are not appreciated as they should be, and to apply them skilfully requires work that many are unwilling to perform. But none should feel excused for ignorance or indiffer­ence on this subject. There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease."—Ibid., p. 237.

Rest a Recognized Therapeutic Measure

Rest is another important and universally recognized therapeutic measure. It is consid­ered an essential part in the treatment program for practically every systemic organic disease. But it is also important for those who become sick under the stress and strain of overwork. Many persons experience physical ills as a re­sult of complex modern living. The physiatrist has a system developed to reduce these ten­sions, called progressive relaxation. Sister White also recognized the need of relaxation for those in this condition. However bed rest is not what she advised. She suggests a visit to the country, where the mind is free from care, and the relax­ing influence of things of nature may be found.

"Some make themselves sick by overwork. For these, rest, freedom from care, and a spare diet, are essential to restoration of health. 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, care-free 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 than any other agency toward their recovery."—Ibid., pp. 236, 237.

Heliotherapy

But many are confined to beds of sickness. Sister White urges that some of these also would benefit greatly by getting out of doors into the fresh air and sunshine.

"God helping me, I will do my utmost to show the life-giving power of sunshine and fresh air. How much better it is for the sick to be in the open air than within four walls, decorated though these walls may be with many pictures!"—Medical Ministry, p. 232.

"Invalids too often deprive themselves of sun­light. This is one of nature's most healing agents." —Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 527.

Although heliotherapy is rapidly diminishing in importance in the treatment of all disease, it is still recognized as having strong remedial powers. It has been employed in physical medi­cine in the treatment of extrapulmonary tu­berculosis, arthritis, wounds, rickets, and other bony disorders. Besides the effectiveness of sun baths, just being out of doors in the sunshine has great healing properties for the ailing indi­vidual.

Occupational Therapy

Sister White recognized activity as being im­portant for the invalid. Today in physical medi­cine great emphasis is placed upon restoring the sick to activity. Physical medicine has ap­pended to its name the word rehabilitation. Persons are trained as occupational therapists, devoted to the task of helping to restore the invalid to useful activity. Although this field is relatively new, Sister White wrote about well-directed exercise as an effective remedial agency.

"Invalids should not be encouraged in inactivity. When there has been serious overtaxation in any direction, entire rest for a time will sometimes ward off serious illness; but in the case of confirmed in­valids, it is seldom necessary to suspend all activity." —The Ministry of Healing, p. 238.

"When invalids have nothing to occupy their time and attention, their thoughts become cen­tered upon themselves, and they grow morbid and irritable. Many times they dwell upon their bad feelings until they think themselves much worse than they really are, and wholly unable to do anything.

"In all these cases, well-directed physical exercise would prove an effective remedial agent. In some cases it is indispensable to the recovery of health. The will goes with the labor of the hands; and what these invalids need is to have the will aroused. When the will is dormant, the imagination becomes abnormal, and it is impossible to resist disease."­Ibid., p. 239.

"Inactivity is the greatest curse that could come upon most invalids. Light employment in useful labor, while it does not tax mind or body, has a happy influence upon both. It strengthens the mus­cles, improves the circulation, and gives the invalid the satisfaction of knowing that he is not wholly useless in this busy world. He may be able to do but little at first, but he will soon find his strength increasing, and the amount of work done can be increased accordingly."—Ibid., p. 240.

Not only is inactivity adverse for the invalid, but also for those who have overtaxed their physical powers as well.

"Those who have overtaxed their physical powers should not be encouraged to forego manual labor entirely. But labor, to be of the greatest advantage, should be systematic and agreeable. Outdoor exer­cise is the best; it should be so planned as to strengthen by use the organs that have become -weakened; and the heart should be in it; the labor of the hands should never degenerate into mere drudgery."—/bid., pp. 238, 239.

Sister White recognized inactivity as a fruitful cause of disease. Whereas inactivity tends to­ward degeneration, exercise stimulates the cir­culation and aids in the proper function of the vital organs and in the elimination of wastes.

"Action is a law of our being. Every organ of the body has its appointed work, upon the performance of which its development and strength depend. The normal action of all the organs gives strength and vigor, while the tendency of disuse is toward decay and death."—/bid., p. 237.

"Inactivity is a fruitful cause of disease. Exercise quickens and equalizes the circulation of the blood, but in idleness the blood does not circulate freely, and the changes in it, so necessary to life and health, do not take place. The skin, too, becomes inactive. Impurities are not expelled as they would be if the circulation had been quickened by vig­orous exercise, the skin kept in a healthy condition, and the lungs fed with plenty of pure, fresh air. This state of the system throws a double burden on the excretory organs, and disease is the result." —Ibid., p. 238.

Sister White did not have the advantage of scientific training, but her writings on the sub-Sect of physical medicine show a soundness and accuracy that stand today. Although her health messages emphasize the preservation of health, she had definite counsel on the treat­ment of disease by the natural remedies of water, rest, fresh air, sunshine, and well-directed activity.