It often requires time to overcome a patient's faith in drastics and plasters; but once convinced of their uselessness, the conviction is for all time.
It is a noticeable fact that in families where laws of health are strictly enforced, and great caution is observed in regard to the diet, and the conversation largely devoted to bodily ailments, there is the most sickness. Take a large family of children, where the mother has all that she can attend to, in keeping them clothed and fed, there health is generally the rule; whereas, in small families, of one or two children, sickness is by no means the exception. They must not be allowed to breathe the cold air, because there is danger in it; they must be loaded down with coverings when they perspire, until their bodies are dry; and the mother of one child is often kept busier than the mother of eight.
Great charity and humility are necessary in curative work. The loving patience of Jesus we should strive to emulate. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," has daily to be exemplified; and although we meet with skepticism and incredulity where we should least expect them, they cannot harm us. If we are serving Christ, Truth, of what can mortal opinion avail? If we cannot bring the peace of love to all, we can to many, if we are faithful laborers in the divine vineyard.
