Progress in Public Health Education

The education of the public in matters pertaining to health and hygiene continued to be fostered by the tireless and often unselfish efforts of enlightened lecturers and writers. Of the nature and influence of their work and of its importance in the cause of health reform, an experienced educator said in 1862:SHM 48.3

“About twenty years ago Dr. Calvin Cutter began his career as a public lecturer upon the science of physiology. He was followed by T. S. Lambert and a multitude of others less known if not less useful. More recently the science has been extensively introduced and taught in our schools and seminaries, as one of the regular branches of study. The influence of this movement in the direction of health reform is incalculable.”—J. C. Porter, professor of mathematics, Clinton Liberal Institute, New York, in The Laws of Life, November, 1862, p. 162.SHM 48.4

In showing why the work of these physiologists was worthy of being rated as “by far the most important auxiliary of the hygienic reform,” Professor Porter said further:SHM 49.1

“They have taught the people the importance of bathing and exercise; they have inculcated useful lessons upon the choice and preparation of food, bringing the frying pans into ill repute, and doing no little damage to the trade in pork; they have borne strong and effectual testimony against the use of tobacco and intoxicating beverages; they have enlightened upon the habits of dressing, and have made corsets and thin soles a reproach to any lady; they have prevented more disease by the correction of private and social vice than all the doctors have cured since preaching began.”—Ibid.SHM 49.2

The knowledge of health principles disseminated by the printed page, by lectures, by the formation of health clubs, and by the teaching of children in the public schools was as leaven that, by 1863, was permeating society. Thus providentially was the way prepared for the great and important instruction of health reform that would become an integral part of the religious movement then arising with its divine commission to herald to the world a message designed to prepare a people “body, and soul, and spirit” for translation to heaven at the second advent of Christ.SHM 49.3