Healthful Living

Chapter 34—Rational Remedies for Disease

Efforts of Nature to Resist Disease

951. Nature alone possesses restorative powers. She alone can build up her exhausted energies, and repair the injuries she has received by inattention to her fixed laws.—How to Live 3:57. HL 224.1

952. Nature alone is the effectual restorer.—How to Live 3:60. HL 224.2

953. Nature, to relieve herself of poisonous impurities, makes an effort to free the system, which effort produces fevers, and what is termed disease.—How to Live 4:60. HL 224.3

954. Nature bears abuse as long as she can without resisting, then she arouses, and makes a mighty effort to rid herself of the incumbrances and evil treatment she has suffered. Then come headache, chills, fevers, nervousness, paralysis, and other evils too numerous to mention.—Testimonies for the Church 2:69. HL 224.4

955. Nature is loath to give up her hold on life. She is unwilling to cease her struggle.—How to Live 3:63. HL 224.5

956. Give nature a chance, and she will rally and again perform her part nobly and well.—Testimonies for the Church 1:549. HL 224.6

957. Nature was doing her best to rid the system of an accumulation of impurities, and could she have been left to herself, aided by the common blessings of Heaven, such as pure air and pure water, a speedy and safe cure would have been effected.—How to Live 3:60. HL 224.7

958. All the credit should be ascribed to nature's restorative power.—How to Live 3:50. HL 225.1

Assistance We May Render Nature

959. Only seek to assist nature in her efforts, by removing every obstruction, and then leave her to recover the exhausted energies of the system.—How to Live 3:54. HL 225.2

960. There are many ways of practising the healing art; but there is only one way that Heaven approves. 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of life, and a firm trust in God are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skilful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean, sweet premises are within the reach of all with but little expense.—Testimonies for the Church 5:443. HL 225.3

961. Keep the patient free from excitement, and every influence calculated to depress. Her attendants should be cheerful and hopeful. She should have a simple diet, and should be allowed plenty of pure, soft water to drink. Bathe frequently in pure, soft water, followed by gentle rubbing. Let the light and air be freely admitted into the room. She must have quiet and undisturbed rest.—How to Live 3:54, 55. HL 225.4