Ellen Chat Conversation

The historical record indicates that Ellen White did not view vaccination as an evil to be avoided. When a smallpox epidemic occurred in her vicinity, she chose to be vaccinated herself and encouraged those working closely with her to do the same (2SM 303.6). Her support for this measure was based on the recognized evidence that vaccination could prevent the disease or significantly reduce its severity, as well as the moral responsibility to avoid exposing others to infection (2SM 303.6). While she accepted vaccination, she frequently warned against the "free use of poisonous drugs" and "patent nostrums" that many people used to mask symptoms without addressing the underlying causes of their illness (MH 126.2).

She observed that many individuals relied on drug-based remedies as a shortcut to avoid the effort of changing unhealthful habits (CH 89). In her view, the administration of certain drug-poisons by physicians often resulted in long-term physical and mental depreciation that was sometimes worse than the original malady (2SM 442.4). Rather than relying on complex medicinal interventions, she advocated for a thorough understanding of the human organism and the laws of health (2SM 442.4).

She taught that people should become intelligent in using simple, natural methods—such as water treatments, plain food, and physical exercise—to combat disease (MM 227.1). By following these principles and reasoning from cause to effect, individuals could often restore their health without the enfeebling effects that she associated with the "drugging" practices of her time (5T 311.1).

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