Fasting
149
Guard Against Enfeebling Abstinence
313. In cases of severe fever, abstinence from food for a short time
will lessen the fever, and make the use of water more effectual. But the
acting physician needs to understand the real condition of the patient,
and not allow him to be restricted in diet for a great length of time until
his system becomes enfeebled. While the fever is raging, food may
irritate and excite the blood; but as soon as the strength of the fever is
broken, nourishment should be given in a careful, judicious manner.
If food is withheld too long, the stomach’s craving for it will create
[191]
fever, which will be relieved by a proper allowance of food of a right
quality. It gives nature something to work upon. If there is a great
desire expressed for food, even during the fever, to gratify that desire
with a moderate amount of simple food would be less injurious than
for the patient to be denied. When he can get his mind upon nothing
else, nature will not be overburdened with a small portion of simple
food.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:384, 385, 1870
Advice to an Aged Minister
314. I have been informed that you have taken but one meal a day
for a period of time; but I know it to be wrong in your case, for I have
been shown that you needed a nutritious diet, and that you were in
danger of being too abstemious. Your strength would not admit of
your severe discipline....
I think that you have erred in fasting two days. God did not require
it of you. I beg of you to be cautious and eat freely good, wholesome
food twice a day. You will surely decrease in strength and your mind
become unbalanced unless you change your course of abstemious
diet.—
Letter 2, 1872
[192]
[193]
[194]
[195]