The Story of our Health Message

Elder White’s Breakdown

It is not surprising that under these circumstances exhausted nature broke down under the strain. On the morning of August 16, 1865, Elder White was stricken with paralysis. In answer to earnest prayer a partial restoration was effected, but he did not rally from the nervous prostration induced by the shock. Attending physicians declared that unless a miracle were wrought in his behalf, he would never regain either his physical or mental vigor. They declared that they had never known of an instance of recovery from so severe a case of paralysis. SHM 134.1

For five weeks everything possible was done for him at the White home in Battle Creek, but with no sign of improvement in his condition. Then, hoping that he might be benefited by a change of surroundings and the skillful services of Dr. Jackson, they decided to visit once more Our Home at Dansville, New York. They were accompanied by two other worn pilgrims, Elders J. N. Loughborough and Uriah Smith, the latter being editor of the Review and Herald. Of their experience, Elder Smith wrote: SHM 134.2

“Brother and Sister White were cordially welcomed by Dr. Jackson, physician-in-chief of Our Home. Thursday, the day following our arrival, the doctor gave our party an examination, pronouncing upon our present condition and future prospects in respect to physical health and strength. His judgment in the case of Brother White was, that it was very fortunate for him that he was arrested in his course of toil and labor when he was; for if nature had held up even but a short time longer under the same pressure, it would have eventually given way, and in such a manner as to produce a complete wreck, for which there would have been no remedy.”—Ibid., October 3, 1865. SHM 134.3

Dr. Jackson held out hopes that under proper hygienic influences Elder White would in time make a complete recovery, but asserted that “the causes which have led to this attack must for all time be avoided, and to the work of recovery, quite a length of time, perhaps six or eight months, must be devoted.” He suggested that Elder Loughborough should remain for treatment for five or six months, and Elder Smith for as many weeks. SHM 135.1