Hand Book of Health

DISEASE

439. What may disease in general terms be called? HBH 203.1

Disease in its incipient state, as a general fact, may be said to be nothing more than an excessive healthy action of nature in resisting morbific or irritating causes. This action continued too long brings the overacting part into a morbid condition, and may involve the whole system in sympathetic irritation. All that nature asks to cure such conditions is to have the disturbing causes which produce this morbid condition removed. Chronic diseases result, if the disturbing cause is not removed, in the change of structure of the parts of the system acted upon. If the disturbing causes are removed before change of structure takes place, the diseased action of the part will not long continue, but nature will at once commence its restorative work. HBH 203.2

440. What are the most fruitful sources of disease? HBH 203.3

In general, diseases are produced by bad air, improper light, impure and improper food and drink excessive or defective alimentation, indolence or over-exertion, and unregulated passions. HBH 203.4

441. What, then, are the conditions of the body in disease? HBH 203.5

Impure blood, unhealthy secretions, obstructions in the capillary vessels, excessive action in some parts or organs, with deficient action in others, unequal temperature, or in other words, a loss of balance in the circulation and action of the various parts of the vital machinery, producing great discord in some portions of it, and more or less disorder in all. HBH 203.6

442. Is pain always manifest in the part affected? HBH 204.1

It is not. It requires considerable skill and experience to tell, in all cases, by the pain, just where the disease is located. Pain produced by some diseases of the liver is indicated by a pain under the shoulder. Hip disease is frequently first perceived by a pain in the knee. A morbid condition of the stomach and liver may be perceived first by pain or soreness in the head. HBH 204.2

443. What is the first effort to be made in paving the way for the restoration of natural action in the body? HBH 204.3

To remove obstructions, wash away impurities, supply healthful nutriment, regulate the temperature, relax intense, and intensify torpid action. Water with its proper accompaniments, air, light, food, temperature, exercise and rest, must best answer nature’s demands in this work. HBH 204.4

444. Can medicines of any kind effect what the system needs in case of diseased action? HBH 204.5

Medicinal drugs can never accomplish this work. They may suppress a symptom, remove a pain, transfer an irritation, excite a new vital resistance, produce another obstruction, and so divide the organic struggle between two points, and diminish vital power to resist disease and cause pain, by increasing vital expenditure. Let it always be borne in mind that all medicine is in itself an evil, and its own dire effects on the living body are in all cases, without exception, unfriendly to life. In every case, to a greater or less extent, it wears out life, impairs the constitution, and abbreviates the period of human existence. Still, in the present condition of human nature, there are some cases of disease in which medicine, to some extent, is indispensably necessary to the salvation of human life, but in these cases it must be regarded as a necessary evil. That physician who uses the least medicine is the best friend to man’s physical interests. HBH 204.6

445. What can you say of the effect of the passions on the general health of the body? HBH 205.1

All excessive mental irritations, as anger, grief, and despondency, are injurious to the body. In about the same ratio do lustful feelings and habits debase man and undermine his health. The young man or woman who would have a symmetrically-formed body, strength of mind, and a constitution capable of enduring the labors incident to even a temperate life of man or womanhood, should avoid the secret evil habits and vices of youth with the same dread that they would the bites of the most venomous reptiles. Do not sin against God and your own soul by destroying yourself. HBH 205.2