The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1919-01-30


Just as sheep and cattle are worth
more than cougars and rattlesnakes,
50 we are able by scientific iAvestiga-
lion to distinguish scme OF the char
2cteFisties of various micro-organ-
ms. Some we welcome, agaisst
others we contend, When certain
vicious forms of bacteria begin to
operate within the body we are put
upon a fight for life in which every
effort sometimes proves unayailing
and death e1sues.
1t has been contended by some
that, given absolutely perfect human
lie, such q person would prove i'm
mune to the attack Of any disease
germ. Others have asserted the
power of the mind to resist all forms
of disease. These contentious how
ever tail practically, for We have no
example of perfect human life, and
typhoid or diptheria germs will eat a
Christian Scientist with as much
relish and as little regret as though
lie ware skeptic.
These destructive bacteria infect
not only the human body but also
prey upon lower forms of animal
life, and indeed form a wonderful
chapter in the history of nature.
By means of diligent investiga-
ton, scientists have learned much of
the nature and activity of these in
intestinal forms of existence, so
that civilized races are protected in
a large degree from their ravages.
The present epidemic of influenza has
been much more fatal when it has
appeared among lower races, than in
Europe and America. Before the
time of modern science plaques of
various types periodically swept over
the nations destroying life in vast
numbers. Even in our own country in
earlier times when cholera or yellow
fever appeared people simply hitched
up their teams and drove to safety
leaving crops and stock to care for
themselves as best they could until
the pestilence should disappear
Physicians as we'll as missionaries
have not infrequently exposed them
selves to the dangers of contagious
diseases that they might bring re-
lief to the suffering and to study the
nature of the pestilence in order to
discover a remedy. Such heroic
men and women are benefactors of
the race, entitled to no less honor
than the soldiers who fight our bat
ties. Christianity has produced the
conditions which have made success
full scientific investigation possible.
1t has also taught that spirit of self
sacrifice which has called forth
almost countless examples of person.
al conservation.
Every law for the restriction of
wrong is in it's nature a quarantine
law morally applied, Before the
Civil War laws were repeatedly en-
acted for the purpose of confining
slavery to the states south of Mason
and Dixon's line. For many years
quarantine to protect their citizens
from the degrading influences of the
| saloon. Now the whole American
people have a constitutional law to
Quarantine our country against the
| frightfulness of booze, and every
loyal citizen will lend a hand to
secure its enforcement. 1t is true
lhat a people cannot be made good
| oy law. But it is also true that the
laws of democracy are an express
sion of the moral life of the people,
and by wise laws faithfully enforced,
lhe innocent may be protected and
the baneful contagion of vice re-
stricted.
Scripture admonishes us to prac-
tice individual quarantine. BE not
deceived, evil communications cor
rupt good manners" Also this, EN-
ter not into the path of the wicked.
And walk not in the way of evil men.
Avoid it pass not by it; Turn from it,
and pass on"
After quarantine, and connected
with it is disinfectant, which is in
tended to exterminate the deadly
bacteria of contagious diseases. For
this knowledge we are also indebted
10 faithful students of natures laws,
who have made it possible to estab-
.ish sanitary regulations of very great
practical benefit. Yet above all ar
tifiCial disinfectants in potency are
pure air and sunshine-Gods free
gift to all.
Health is Gods gift, and is the
normal condition of human life.
But we are in a world where we are
beset with enemies, so that in
cessant study and toll became nee
essary for our protection. Thus the
Creator has stimulated us to that
mental, moral and physical effort
without which development and
progress would be impossible.
All health comes from God, and to
learn its laws that we may secure its
blessings becomes our privilege and
duty. When the physician success
fully prescribes in case of sickness,
he simply utilizes means which the
Creator has placed within our reach
While it is evidently our duty to
cultivate and protect health, the best
of our ability, with how much greater