Each age has its philanthropists, those who toil not merely for their own aggrandizement, but for the bettering, the uplifting of the human race. These make the world better for having lived in it. Such ought to be the desire of every person, and while it is sad to say that it is not the fact, this is truly an age in which proportionately more people are interested in the welfare of the race than at any period in the history of the world. It ought therefore to naturally follow, that the world should now be making greater strides towards ideal conditions than ever before. Perhaps we are doing this; but it is a matter which many well informed people would gravely question. No doubt but that all will agree, that no movement has ever been inaugurated for the elevation of man, which shows results commensurate with the effort expended. Why is this? There can be but one answer; it is because all efforts of every kind and character have been directed toward relieving, curing or reforming the individual; whereas, had all the efforts of even ten generations been directed toward preventing evil and disease we would now have an ideal race; but this would require a volume of itself, whereas the object sought, is to call attention to, and emphasize the fact that, it is ignorance of the laws governing our physical existence, creation, birth, and living, that makes reform movements necessary movements which seek merely to overcome results of forces without dealing with their causes.

This would be denied by nearly every man or woman engaged in trying to reform the world.

To illustrate; there are three ways of dealing with drunkenness:

(1) Drugs or dipsomania cures.

(2) Moral influences, signing the pledge, etc.

(3) Prohibition - restraint by law.

Now the advocates of each of these methods claim that they deal with the causes of drunkenness, and yet men will not stay cured, nor keep the pledge, neither will they regard the law, and it is a lamentable fact that the army of drunkards is being constantly recruited from the families of the most zealous temperance advocates of the country. Something is wrong; for neither drugs, moral suasion nor law, have succeeded in arresting drunkeness, because the diet and habits of the people cause them to transmit nervous tendencies to each generation, and these, are continually crying out for stimulation of some kind.

The truth of the matter is that most reformers have ignored the fact, that the body, to a great extent, controls the mind, and therefore, the conduct. We are animals, without the governing instincts of brutes, and so limited in reason and knowledge, as to be unable to properly regulate our conduct. A man born under proper conditions, and given correct knowledge of living, will need neither moral suasion nor prohibition to keep him from the liquor habit, and so far as this world is concerned, will not need any reform movement, or dread of future punishment to make him a good citizen.

Some years ago, the writer became profoundly interested in social and economic questions and the elevation of the race through popular edcuation, especially on the principles of living and the proper relation of the individual to society. After studying every phase of human conditions and character, he became imbued with the belief that more good could be accomplished by teaching the people the principles governing their physical existence than could be done in any other way. In order to bring this knowledge to them, all sources oijn-formation have been sought, and especially from those physicians whose training and experience warrant them in speaking with some degree of assurance. The facts obtained from all sources are given as one interview.

Venturing forth in quest of knowledge, the bookmaker sought the most learned specialists who have made a life study of food in its relation to health and disease. The first interview with a distinguished specialist in diseases of the stomach began with the explanation that the bookmaker was desirous of dispelling some of the darkness in which our physical existence is enveloped. "That," replied the doctor "is a great task, and worthy of the best effort that can be given it."

"Some people declare that the masses cannot be moved to a more rational mode of living."

"That is worse than the facts warrant, for there are people who are really anxious to learn more about the principles which govern their existence."

But Isn't It Also True That Many People Don't Care To Know Anything?

"Yes, and it is a strange thing that people are willing to suffer pain, lose the time of being sick, and then have to pay their money to doctors, when it could all be avoided."

If That Be True, What Will Become Of The Doctors?

"Oh well, the people could better afford to pay the doctors to keep them well like the Chinese than have to pay them and be sick; but when the people learn that their ills do not come from God, or from Adam, or even from nature, and learn that they are mostly self inflicted, or at farthest, come from their parents, they will learn how to dispense with both physic and physician."

"That's a good deal to say."

"Yes," said the doctor, "but I do not hesitate to say that it is not more than the truth."

How Could The People Be Brought To Such A Condition?

"They must first realize their individual responsibility."

How Can They Be Brought To That?

"By presenting facts to them in a clear and forcible manner, which we will do. Now suppose I say, that practically every person commits suicide, and that a great many also commit manslaughter."

"If you did I should say that you were either jesting or crazy."