Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-21
RELIGION IN MEDICINE
BY H. ADDINGTON BRUCE

VIZ ALKING recently with a veteran pro-
Wv fessor of a great American university
our conversation turned to modern
scientific methods Of treating nervous disor-
ders. We spoke of hypnotism and hypnoidi-
zation, of suggestion and psycho-analysis
But we had talked of these things for only
a few minutes when my companion exclaimed,
in tone of profound convictions:
II may be old-fashioned but l cannot help
thinking that after all there is nothing so
beneficial to the nervous as religion. To me
it seems to be the best of all medicines, and
am sure that our doctors would get more sat
isfactory results if they made it rule to in
clude religion in their prescriptions"
And, assuredly, facts of everyday obserya-
ton so to bear out this view. SO do facts of
medical research into the nature and causes
of nervous, breakdOwns.
Again and again it has been established
that underlying these are psychic states of
fear, discomfort and undue absorption in self.
The nervous need, above all else, to gain con-
fidence, serenity, and self-forgetfulness. In
religion they have a supremely valuable
means to this end.
AS, for that matter, was clearly perceived
by the great physicians of antiquity. To ap-
preciate this, one has only to read accounts
of the ancient health temples, such the
temple on the island of Cos, where Hippoc-
rates practiced medicine.
Hippocrates, justly eXtolled the father of
modern medicine, made use Of diet, exercise,
and other hygienic aids to health restoration
But also hekinyOked religions aid, intuitivey
sensing its healing influence as made possible
through the inter-re' ationships of mind and
body.
In the words of one reporting the results
Of archaeological study of the health temple
at Cos:
eve learn that an effective form of reli-
giOn was involved in medical practice at that
time; with its prestige, it's sanctions, its infu-
ence upon the conduct, the conscious and sub
conscious mind of the patients and of the
physicians, let us add, lest we forget a most
important factor"
With the rise of materialistic science it
perhaps was nevi+able-though no less unfor-
tunate-that physicians should more and
more lose sight of the possibilities of religio-
therapy. Today however, signs are not lack
ing of revival medical interest in religion
On my desk as | write these lines, rests
substantial volume on Religion and Health 4"
the work of medical man, DR.. James J
Walsh Other medical men have of late
given emphatic expression to their belief that
religion makes for nerve control and whole
ness of body as well peace of mind.
Some medical men have even been found
willing to cooperate with clergymen in activi-
ties such those undertaken by the religio-
ment. The next step will be for medical men
in general to urge upon their patients reli-
gion's Importance to them
This step, believe, will some day be taken
1t will not entail a relinquishing of the
tried and proved physical resources of medi-
cine and surgery. It will be- rather supple
mentfng of these by agency too long left
unutil1zed by those qualified to utilize it in
the neYer-endIng struggle against disease.