MH page 134

How can a physician stand in the community as an example of purity and self-control, how can he be an effectual worker in the temperance cause, while he himself is indulging a vile habit? How can he minister acceptably at the bedside of the sick and the dying, when his very breath is offensive, laden with the odor of liquor or tobacco?

A physician's personal habits of self-control and purity affect their professional credibility and acceptance by patients. Focuses on the moral and professional consistency expected of medical practitioners.

While disordering his nerves and clouding his brain by the use of narcotic poisons, how can one be true to the trust reposed in him as a skillful physician? How impossible for him to discern quickly or to execute with precision!

Narcotic poisons disorder nerves and cloud the brain, impairing a physician's skill and precision. Combines a physiological claim about narcotic poisons affecting nerves and brain function with an ethical argument about professional duty.

If he does not observe the laws that govern his own being, if he chooses selfish gratification above soundness of mind and body, does he not thereby declare himself unfit to be entrusted with the responsibility of human lives?

Failure to observe the laws of one's own being renders a person unfit for the responsibilities of caring for human lives. Deals with the ethical and professional qualifications based on personal health habits.

However skilled and faithful a physician may be, there is in his experience much of apparent discouragement and defeat. Often his work fails of accomplishing that which he longs to see accomplished. Though health is restored to his patients, it may be no real benefit to them or to the world. Many recover health, only to repeat the indulgences that invited disease. With the same eagerness as before, they plunge again into the round of self-indulgence and folly. The physician's work for them seems like effort thrown away.

Physicians often face discouragement when patients repeatedly return to self-indulgent habits after being restored to health. Describes the common experiential and psychological challenges faced by medical practitioners.

Christ had the same experience, yet He did not cease His efforts for one suffering soul. Of the ten lepers who were cleansed, only one appreciated the gift, and he was a stranger and a Samaritan. For the sake of that one, Christ healed the ten. If the physician meets with no better success than the Saviour had, let him learn a lesson from the Chief Physician. Of Christ it is written, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged.” “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isaiah 42:4 ; 53:11 .

Healers should persevere in their work despite discouragement, following the example of Christ and biblical precedent. Utilizes biblical narrative and scriptural quotes to encourage perseverance.