The Work of Christian Physicians
St. Helena, California
June 3, 1907
This manuscript is published in entirety in CH 361-366.
The physician stands in a difficult place. Strong temptations will come to him; and unless kept by the power of God, that which he hears and sees in his work will discourage his heart and pollute his soul. His thoughts should be constantly uplifted to God. This is his only safety. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 1
Countless are the opportunities that a physician has for winning souls to God, for cheering the discouraged, and relieving the despair that comes to the soul when the body is tortured with pain. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 2
But some who have chosen the medical profession are too easily led away from the duties resting upon the physician. Some by misuse enfeeble their powers so that they cannot render to God perfect service. They place themselves where they cannot act with vigor, tact and skill, and do not realize that by the disregard of physical laws, they bring upon themselves inefficiency, and thus they rob and dishonor God. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 3
Physicians should not allow their attention to be diverted from their work. Neither should they confine themselves so closely to professional work that health will be injured. In the fear of God, they should be wise in the use of the strength that God has given them. Never should they disregard the means that God has provided for the preservation of health. It is their duty to bring under the control of reason every power that God has given them. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 4
Of all men the physician should, as far as possible, take regular hours for rest. This will give him power of endurance to bear the taxing burdens of his work. In his busy life the physician will find that the searching of the Scriptures and earnest prayer will give vigor of mind and stability of character. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 5
Seek to meet the expectations of Jesus Christ. He will help in every effort in the right direction. Remember that there is not an action of life, nor a motive of the heart, that is not open to the gaze of our Saviour. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 6
The way to the throne of God is always open. You cannot always be on your knees in prayer, but your silent petitions may constantly ascend to God for strength and guidance. When tempted, as you will be, you may flee to the secret place of the Most High. His everlasting arms will be underneath you. Let these words cheer you, “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.” [Revelation 3:4.] 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 7
When Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, you will be well balanced; you will not be changeable, but will rise above the influences that discourage and discompose those who are not stayed upon Christ. You will be enabled to prove that it is possible to be a wise, successful physician, and at the same time an active Christian, serving the Lord in sincerity. Godliness is the foundation of true dignity and completeness of character. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 8
Unless the physicians in our sanitariums are men of thorough habits, unless they attend promptly to their duties, their work will become a reproach, and the Lord’s appointed agencies will lose their influence. By a course of negligence to duty, the physician humiliates the great Physician, of whom he should be a representative. Strict hours should be kept with all patients, high or low. No careless neglect should be allowed in any of the nurses. Ever be true to your word, prompt in meeting your appointments; for this means much to the sick. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 9
Among Christian physicians there should ever be a striving for the maintenance of the highest order of true refinement and delicacy, a preservation of those barriers of reserve that should exist between men and women. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 10
We are living in a time when the world is represented as in Noah’s time, and as in the days of Sodom. I am constantly being shown the great dangers to which youth, and men and woman who have just reached manhood and womanhood, and also men and women of mature years, are exposed, and I dare not hold my peace. There is need of greater refinement, both in thought and association. There is need of Christians being more elevated and delicate in words and deportment. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 11
The work of a physician is of that character that if there is a coarseness in his nature, it will be revealed. Therefore the physician should guard carefully his speech and avoid all commonness in conversation. Every patient he treats is reading the traits of his character and the tone of his morals by his action and conversation. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 12
The light given me of the Lord regarding this matter is that as far as possible lady physicians should have the care of lady patients and gentleman physicians the care of gentleman patients. Every physician should respect the delicacy of the patients. Any unnecessary exposure of ladies before male physicians is wrong. Its influence is detrimental. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 13
Delicate treatments should not be given by male physicians to women in our institutions. Never should a lady patient be alone with a gentleman physician, either for special examination of for treatment. Let physicians be faithful in preserving delicacy and modesty under all circumstances. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 14
In our medical institutions there ought always to be women of mature age and of good experience who have been trained to give the treatments to the lady patients. Women should be educated and qualified just as thoroughly as possible to become practitioners in the delicate diseases which afflict women, that their secret parts should not be exposed to the notice of men. There should be a much larger number of lady physicians, educated not only to act as trained nurses, but also as physicians. It is a most horrible practice, this revealing the secret parts of women to men, or men being treated by women. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 15
Women physicians should utterly refuse to look upon the secret parts of men. Women should be thoroughly educated to work for women, and men to work for men. Let men know that they must go to those of their own sex, and not apply to lady physicians. It is an insult to women, and God looks upon these things of commonness with abhorrence. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 16
While physicians are called upon to teach social purity, let them practice that delicacy which is a constant lesson in practical purity. Women may do a noble work as practicing physicians; but when men ask a lady physician to give them examinations and treatments which demand the exposure of private parts, let her refuse decidedly to do this work. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 17
In the medical work there are dangers which the physician should understand and constantly guard against. Truly converted men are the ones who should be employed as physicians in our sanitariums. Some physicians are self-sufficient, and consider themselves able to guard their own ways; whereas, if they but knew themselves, they would feel their great heed of help from above. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 18
Some medical men are unfit to act as physicians to women because of the attitude they assume toward them. They take liberties until it becomes a common thing with them to transgress the laws of chastity. Our physicians should have the highest regard for the directions given by God to His church when they were delivered from Egypt. This will keep them from becoming loose in manners and careless in regard to the laws of chastity. All who will live by the laws that God gave from Sinai may be safely trusted. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 19
It is not in harmony with the instruction given at Sinai that gentleman physicians should do the work of midwives. The Bible speaks of women at childbirth being attended by women, and thus it ought always to be. Women should be educated and trained to act skilfully as midwives and physicians to their sex. It is just as important that a line of study be given to educate women to deal with women’s diseases as it is that there should be gentlemen thoroughly trained to act as physicians and surgeons. And the wages of the woman should be proportionate to her service. She should be as much appreciated in her work as the gentleman physician is appreciated in his work. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 20
Let us educate ladies to become intelligent in the work of treating the diseases of their sex. They will sometimes need the counsel and assistance of experienced gentleman physicians. When brought into trying places, let all be led by supreme wisdom. Let all bear in mind that they need and may have the wisdom of the great Physician in their work. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 21
We ought to have a school where women can be educated by women physicians to do the best possible work in treating the diseases of women. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 22
Among us as a people, the medical profession should stand at its highest. Physicians should bear in mind that it is their work to fit souls as well as bodies for healthy life. Their service for God is to be uncorrupted by any evil practice. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 23
Every practitioner needs to study carefully the Word of God. Read the story of the sons of Aaron in the tenth chapter of Leviticus, verses one to eleven. Here was a case where the use of wine benumbed the senses. The Lord demands that the appetites and all the habits of life of the physician be kept under strict control. While dealing with the bodies of their patients, they are to constantly remember that the eye of God is upon all their work. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 24
The most exalted part of the physician’s work is to lead the men and women under his care to see that the cause of disease lies in violation of the laws of health, and to encourage them to hold higher and holier views of life. Instruction should be given that will prove an antidote for the diseases of the soul as well as for the sicknesses of the body. Only that sanitarium will be a healthful institution where right principles are established. The physician who, knowing the remedy for the diseases of soul and body, neglects the educational part of his work will have to give an account for his neglect in the day of judgment. 22LtMs, Ms 53, 1907, par. 25