The Story of our Health Message

Home Health Instruction Needed

The necessity of a knowledge of simple home remedies was recognized, and articles were included on the use of hydrotherapy, or “bathing,” as it was usually termed. Cautions were given against attempting the “heroic” method of the use of cold water, especially for long periods of time. In Mrs. White’s article in No. 4 of the series, she gave practical instruction relating to the care of the sick in the home. She stressed the need for strict cleanliness, not only of the patient, but also of the attendants, that they might be fortified against disease. She urged adequate ventilation, and with it the maintenance of an even temperature. “Fresh air will prove more beneficial to the sick,” she declared, “than medicine, and is far more essential to them than their food.”—Ibid., 4:55. SHM 110.1

Such instruction was much needed in those days when, because of an uncanny dread of the “night air,” windows and doors were not only closed, but every crack where a possible bit of fresh air might enter was sealed. Mrs. White, in her own experience in caring for her sick neighbors, was sometimes obliged to open windows and doors against the terrified protests of the relatives or of the patient himself. She was led to urge that in self-defense an attendant was justified in refusing to imperil his own health under such circumstances. SHM 110.2

“If attendants are awake to the subject of health, and realize the necessity of ventilation for their own benefit, as well as that of the patient, and the relatives, as well as the sick, oppose the admission of air and light into the sick room, the attendants should have no scruples of conscience in leaving the sick room. ... If the sick will fall a victim to their own erroneous ideas, and will shut out of the room the most essential of Heaven’s blessings, let them do so, but not at the peril of those who ought to live.”—Ibid., 4:57. SHM 110.3

Number 5 of “How to Live” and a portion of No. 6 were devoted to the subject of dress, particularly of children and of women. To an understanding of what was written by Mrs. White and others on dress at that time, a picture of the prevailing styles is necessary, and also a knowledge of the steps in dress reform that had already been taken by some. SHM 111.1