The Story of our Health Message

New Health Publications

During the latter part of 1874 Dr. Kellogg had written five health tracts bearing the titles “Dyspepsia,” “Principles of Health Reform,” “Startling Facts About Tobacco,” “Twenty-five Reasons for Tobacco-Using Briefly Answered,” “Tea, Coffee, and Pork.” Within a few weeks after their publication, it was reported that an edition of 10,000 each had been quickly exhausted and that a second edition of 15,000 each was already on the press. Ibid., November 24, 1874. SHM 209.4

The cause of health reform received a still further impetus by the preparation and production of the Hygienic Cook Book, a booklet of about a hundred pages. The recipes were preceded by an introduction setting forth the principles of healthful diet and pointing out the reasons for discarding certain unwholesome foods, spices, stimulants, and narcotics. SHM 210.1

At the annual meeting of the Health Reform Institute in 1876, Dr. J. H. Kellogg was made medical superintendent. Another physician, Dr. Kate Lindsay, a graduate of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, was also added to the staff. No abrupt change was made, however, in the personnel of physicians. Drs. Fairfield, Sprague, and Lamson remained there; and the work was carried forward progressively, building upon the strong foundation already laid. Elder James White, in the following words expressed his elation and his high hopes for the future growth of the institution: SHM 210.2

“We have never seen as bright a prospect of success before our health institute as at the present time. ... For more than five years we have been laying our plans that our health institute should have the benefits of the highest, most thoroughly educated and cultivated medical talent in the nation. God has helped in this work thus far. And we trust His help to its full completion. And that which gives us hope above all others is that those who tremblingly take their responsible positions are deeply imbued with the spirit of Christian temperance, and with a sense of the need of the help of God in all their labors of love for the afflicted.”—The Review and Herald, October 19, 1876. SHM 210.3