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The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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73: HEALING BY MATERIAL MEANS 257 |
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Now let us speak of material healing. The science of
medicine is still in a condition of infancy; it has not
reached maturity. But when it has reached this point,
cures will be performed by things which are not repulsive
to the smell and taste of man—that is to say, by aliments,
fruits and vegetables which are agreeable to the taste and
have an agreeable smell. For the provoking cause of disease—that is to say, the cause of the entrance of disease
into the human body—is either a physical one or is the effect
of excitement of the nerves.
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But the principal causes of disease are physical, for the
human body is composed of numerous elements, but in
the measure of an especial equilibrium. As long as this
equilibrium is maintained, man is preserved from disease;
but if this essential balance, which is the pivot of the constitution,
is disturbed, the constitution is disordered, and
disease will supervene.
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For instance, there is a decrease in one of the constituent
ingredients of the body of man, and in another there is
an increase; so the proportion of the equilibrium is disturbed,
and disease occurs. For example, one ingredient
must be one thousand grams in weight, and another five
grams, in order that the equilibrium be maintained. The
part which is one thousand grams diminishes to seven
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hundred grams, and that which is five grams augments
until the measure of the equilibrium is disturbed; then disease
occurs. When by remedies and treatments the equilibrium
is reestablished, the disease is banished. So if the
sugar constituent increases, the health is impaired; and
when the doctor forbids sweet and starchy foods, the
sugar constituent diminishes, the equilibrium is reestablished,
and the disease is driven off. Now the readjustment
of these constituents of the human body is obtained
by two means—either by medicines or by aliments; and
when the constitution has recovered its equilibrium, disease
is banished. All the elements that are combined in
man exist also in vegetables; therefore, if one of the constituents
which compose the body of man diminishes, and
he partakes of foods in which there is much of that diminished
constituent, then the equilibrium will be established,
and a cure will be obtained. So long as the aim is
the readjustment of the constituents of the body, it can be
effected either by medicine or by food.
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The majority of the diseases which overtake man also
overtake the animal, but the animal is not cured by drugs.
In the mountains, as in the wilderness, the animal’s physician
is the power of taste and smell. The sick animal smells
the plants that grow in the wilderness; he eats those that
are sweet and fragrant to his smell and taste, and is cured.
The cause of his healing is this. When the sugar ingredient
has become diminished in his constitution, he begins to
long for sweet things; therefore, he eats an herb with a
sweet taste, for nature urges and guides him; its smell and
taste please him, and he eats it. The sugar ingredient in his
nature will be increased, and health will be restored.
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It is, therefore, evident that it is possible to cure by
foods, aliments and fruits; but as today the science of
medicine is imperfect, this fact is not yet fully grasped.
When the science of medicine reaches perfection, treatment
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will be given by foods, aliments, fragrant fruits and
vegetables, and by various waters, hot and cold in temperature.
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