Editorial August 1, 1903 Issue

Effects rather than Causes

The following is from a late issue of Midland Druggist, a well-known medical journal:—

" 'A wit once remarked,' says Medical Talk, 'that the science of medicine consisted in pouring compounds of which we know little into bodies of which know still less.' It is interesting in this connection to note that although the Christian Scientists dispense with medicine and drugs altogether, the mortality amongst them is no greater than amongst the drug-taking population. This causes one to wonder just what has been gained by our modern science of therapeutics. That the science is of some use, we cannot deny. Any formulated and organized system of facts is valuable and can be put to some practical use.

"The answer to the paradox probably is that the cures effected by drugs amongst the run of people are counter-balanced by diseases brought about by the excesses in which these people indulge. It is a recognized fact that the Jews are less subject to disease than are other persons, and the fact has been explained by the frugality of their habits. The same reason might be urged in the case of the Christian Scientists. This sect is eminently temperate, their morals are on the whole good, they take a hopeful attitude toward life and thus escape the nervous troubles that are caused by worry, and their systems are not debilitated by the use of drugs which they ignorantly or wilfully misuse."

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