BATTLE CREEK.

Evening Star, Issue 18054, 23 August 1922, Page 7

BATTLE CREEK.

A GREAT HEALTH UNIVERSITY. ITS LESSON ROR US. ‘Buttle Creek: A Great Health University, and its Lessons for LV was tho subject of a lecture delivered by tho Rev. Dr Waddell in the Waddell rto.il, Carroll street, last night. The lecture was illustrated by a number, of fine lantern views. Tho Rev. H. Maclean, who presided, explained that Dr Waddell was giving the lecture at the request of tho Go Forward Society in aid of mission funds. The speaker explained that Battle Crejik was in tho State of Michigan, climatically one of the most favored States in the United States of America, The main sanatorium building was of six stories, with accommodgiion for 1,200 people. Ono of the great principles for which Battle Creek stood was that Nature alone could heal. Physicians did not and could not do so. Tho best doctor was the ono who worked in closest co-operation with Nature. The Battle Creek system of baths was probably the most complete in the world, and ono could make a choice of upwards of 200 methods of applying water in its bathrooms, Great stress was laid on the value of swimming. as the most healthful of exercises, and the subtle health-giving influences of tho air and sunlight were also much used. The equipment of electrical apparatus was marvellously intricate and .varied, but Battle Creek was best known to tho world for its system of dietetics. Among the foods ■absolutely forbidden there wore flesh foods, lea, coffee, condiment©, alcohol, and tobacco. Tho place of meat at Battle Creek was taken by nuts, fruit, cereals, and milk. Fruit had also an important place in Battle Creek dietetics, many fruit juices being most effective germicides. A small army of cooks and dietitians were constantly at work, and courses of instruction- in these subjects were given. Most -of us ate double tho quantity of food necessary to keep us working efficiently, and Battle Creek by ingenious devices determined the exact quantity of food each patient required-. Another feature of Battle Creek was its army of some- 500 trained nurses, for tho sanatorium was visited by some 3,000 patient® every year. The lecturer described an X-ray application of which he had been the subject, and explained -the us* of the bismuth meal.

Dr Waddell said that they had with them in the hall that night Dr Mecrcdy, who had spent some fourteen months on the staff of Battle Creek Sanatorium, and he asked him to add a few words about it.

Dr Mcc.redy said that at Battle Creex they were -out to teach people how to be healthy. If ever he fell ill he would go back there in preference to any other place ho know in tho world. The work of the specialists there was extraordinarily, accurate and thorough. A great many doctors were now coming to the view that disease was largely duo to excessive use of meat and also of tea and coffee. Every year saw more of the Battle Creek teaching accepted by medical thought throughout the world- He was satisfied wo could maintain better health and do better work on the diet used there than on the diet customary in this country. Battle Creek was now no longer regarded as a place for faddists, but was recognised, as Dr Waddell called it, -as a, “great health university.”

Dr Waddell then dealt with the practical lessons of Battle -Creek for us. Ho urged that some such institute for -teaching health should bo established!, in this country, where wo seemed rather to concentrate our energies on tho cure of disease, and he drew .attention to the almo.it universal prevalence of disease and suffering, three-fourths of which might be prevented if wo followed- the motto, “ Pro ; veniion is better than.cure.” In Central Otago there was am unrivalled climate for such an institute to teach health, and it would draw patients from all. over Australasia. Such an institute would do much to make New Zealand what Nature intended it. to be : “ First flower of the earth and first -gem of the sea.”