Quote
MAN IS SLOW TO REFORM
Good men, whose mission it seems to be to declare new and, therefore, strange truths, are sometimes surprised that new ideas take such slow growth in the popular mind. They ought not to be surprised. They forget that men always reform by inches; that which involves growth, and especially growth from false to true, from bad to good conditions, must be slow; that slowness is the Divine surety for the value of the new growth, and that quick and rapid transformations betoken early decay. Therefore, I am glad that this great REVOLUTION is a slow one; and I rejoice in the persecutions, trials, troubles, endurances, and severe hardships that await Progress. For righteousness’ sake, I rejoice. That it is so, that it will be so, speak well for Human Redemption. The oak of the forest is not the oak of the open land. They have the same constitutional qualities— both being oaks, but by no means have they the same character. And all that is lasting in an oak or in man resides in his character, not in repute or in seeming, but in actual demonstrable vitality. Of course, I am glad that Natural Hygiene has to outlive jibes, jeers, sneers, sarcasm, doubt, distrust, and sham practice (of which Heaven knows there is plenty) and serious, well-organized opposition.
JAMES C. JACKSON, July 1857 –
From the Journal of Natural Hygiene – Winter 1957
Jackson, James. (1844-1848). “Albany Patriot (Albany, N.Y.) ” Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83030817/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2024.
Jackson, James. (1852). Hints on the Reproductive Organs: Their Diseases, Causes, and Cure on Hydropathic Principles. New York: Fowlers and Wells. https://archive.org/details/hintsonreproduc00jackgoog/page/n8/mode/2up
- This book was written as a medical guide addressing reproductive health issues and their hydropathic treatments. Jackson begins with the doctor’s role. He reviews qualifications, issues of medicine, and medicinal abuses. He specifically discusses men and women and their diseases, the causes, treatment, and the five principal causes of disease. Jackson believes in the impact of man’s vices and discusses the effects on the body and relationships within the family.

Dansville, N.Y.: M.W. Simmons & Co.
Jackson, James. (1860). Journal Laws of Life. Vol 3. Dansville, N.Y.: M.W. Simmons & Co.
- These journals included articles about health and social change. (192 pages). The Journal treats all subjects relating to Life and Health and embodies the experience of years of practice by the largest Hygienic Institution in America. The aim is to advocate improved ways of living. It teaches how to live healthfully and to make health the basis for the growth and development of symmetrical character.
- (1861-1863). Adventist Digital Library.
- 1860. New York Heritage Digital Collections – Vol 3.
Jackson, James. (1860). “The Gluttony Plague – or – How Persons Kill Themselves by Eating.” Eternal Health Truths of a Century Ago, no. June, 1960, pp. 89-103, Out of Print. Edited by Christopher Gian-Cursio.
- This was an article written by Dr. Jackson in 1860 for the Journal of Laws of Life. It reappeared in the collection of articles in the publication Eternal Health Truths of a Century Ago, published in 1960.
- In this book, Jackson jumps right in and discusses bad dietetics. He then defines gluttony as eating food that is: unhealthy in itself, overeating, eating at improper times.
- He dives into how animals were raised and the issues of eating animal flesh. He switches to discussing a simple diet, keeping it as close to nature as possible, and shares tips on food preparation.
- The last part focuses on the bodily effects of gluttony and how it destroys the strength of the body. Jackson believed that gluttony led to and created a desire for alcohol, tobacco, and narcotic drugs, resulting in a variety of adverse health problems and behaviors.
Jackson, James. (1862). Consumption: How to Prevent It, and How to Cure It. Boston: Emerson. National Library of Medicine Collection: Medicine in the Americas, 1610-1920. http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101573808.
- A comprehensive exploration of preventive and curative measures for consumption was thoroughly discussed. Jackson details two kinds of consumption. One is called tubercular or pulmonary, and the other is termed bowel consumption. He writes about the hereditary constitution, which is growing out of the habits of living, causes that are not congenital but induced after birth, skin disease, and causes arising from pre-existing diseases.
- Adventist Digital Library – Consumption. https://adventistdigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/adl%3A22250137?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=7bde7c4ec3d93a52035c&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=0&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=1
Jackson, James. (1862). The Sexual Organism, and its Healthful Management. Boston: B.L. Emerson. National Library of Medicine Collection: Medicine in the Americas, 1610-1920. https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101142704-bk
- Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/sexualorganisma00jackgoog/page/n12/mode/2up
- This work discusses the healthy management of sexual organs. Jackson starts with the basics of pregnancy, nursing, and weaning. He dives into the care of children, from children to teenagers. Discussion includes medications, drugging, sexual diseases, and treatment. He has a particular focus on women, which details puberty, menstruation, the uterus, sexual intercourse, pregnancy, and abortion
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MY CONVERSION TO NATURAL HYGIENE
“I can never forget the occasion of my conversion to the truths I now advocate. I was excited about it when they first presented themselves to my mind. I was in a new world. This new idea was, to me, a continent of thought. Did you ever experience the vast solitariness into which the infinite casts a soul when it is given to know some truth? Never before known to it nor anyone else. It is a challenge to care for such truth, to give it a place in its best chambers, to nurture it, and to cause it to grow. I fell asleep and woke a new man. New aims, new purposes, new plans, new ideas, and new principles were mine. Old things had passed away, and all things had become new.”
JAMES C. JACKSON—I868 –
From the Journal of Natural Hygiene – Winter 1957
Jackson, James. (1863). Dancing: Its Evils and Its Benefits. Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co. HathiTrust:
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100695387
- A balanced examination of the pros and cons of dancing was discussed. Jackson begins with the issues of women’s clothing of the day. Dancing is a vigorous exercise, and blood circulation cannot be naturally maintained. Additionally, most dances are held in poorly ventilated places, causing the air in the room to be unhealthy. He also shares that before the dance ends, supper is usually served, which leads to overeating and gluttony.
- He counteracts his above arguments, favoring the idea that everyone is entitled to innocent amusement. And if that amusement benefits man from properly using it, he is justified.
Jackson, James. (1865). The Philosophy of Drunkenness and its Cure. Dansville, N. Y. National Library of Medicine Collection: Medicine in the Americas, 1610-1920 https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101190013-bk.
Internet Archive – https://archive.org/details/101190013.nlm.nih.gov
- Jackson writes that the moderate use of alcohol runs into a moderate use by stages. As the stages become worse, he eventually loses self-control. Healthy men often form habits whose evil influence on them they do not consider until it becomes difficult to overcome. Many believe that alcoholic stimulants are necessary for their health. How can you ask them to give up this indulgence if they think it necessary? Jackson believed the best way to cure a drunkard was to see that he never became one. The best way to do this is to keep him from having an appetite or desire or feeling of need for stimulants.
- To do this, you must serve nutrient-rich and unstimulating foods while young, drink no tea or coffee, use no tobacco, or take known narcotic drugs or stimulating medicines. With this practice in place, Jackson believes that one will not become an alcoholic as an adult.
- However, to cure someone who has developed alcoholism, you must control their food and drink, having them eat rightly at the table. Induce that person to forgo the use of all condiments, tobacco, and drugs, and he can no longer remain an alcoholic. It is the same to prevent or cure alcoholism. Control the food and table, beverages, condiments, and drug medication.

Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co. Medicolegal Tripod.
Jackson, James. (1865). Tobacco and Its Effect upon the Health and Character of Those Who Use It. Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co. Medicolegal Tripod:
https://medicolegal.tripod.com/jackson1879.htm.
- A critical analysis of the impact of tobacco on health and character was studied. Jackson was allowed the use of tobacco as a youth, and it made him very ill. He notes in his book that within the last 25 years, the use of tobacco increased by over 33%. He shares that tobacco should be classes one of the most potent poisons known to demand. He shares that he’s had the opportunity to study the effect of tobacco on over 2000 people at the Institute. He knows that when someone begins using tobacco, they experience these symptoms: becoming sick in their stomach, ears ringing, partial loss of sight, contractions of the throat, difficulty in breathing, or relaxation of the lower bowels.
White, Ellen Gould Harmon 1827-1915, Jackson, James Caleb 1811-1895, Austin, Harriet Newell 1826–1891, Hero, John H. 1821-1898. (1865). Health, or How to Live – Number Two. Steam Press, Steam Press of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association Center for Adventist Research.
- Dr. Jackson’s Lecture on Diptheria is featured in this book as part of a series by F Wilson Hurd Co. Dansville, NY.
Jackson, James. (1868). How to Nurse the Sick. Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co. Medicolegal. National Library of Medicine Collection:
- Internet Archive – https://archive.org/details/101190014.nlm.nih.gov
- As humans are frequently sick, it becomes essential that we know how to be treated when sick. Jackson believes that one should make the sick as comfortable as possible. Move them into an ample, spacious, well-lit (sunlight), and ventilated space. It should be a warm place with as little noise as possible, keeping visitors away. Bed clothing and sheets should be kept clean and dry.
- He gives specific directions on the water treatment cure and when and what type of water cure should be used. He discusses that fluid foods such as porridges or gruel should be given in small portions and at long intervals.
Jackson, James. (1870). The Gluttony Plague, or How Persons Kill Themselves by Eating. Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co. Medicolegal. National Library of Medicine Collection:
https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101190017-bk
- Internet Archive – https://archive.org/details/101190017.nlm.nih.gov
- In this book, Jackson jumps right in and discusses bad dietetics. He then defines gluttony as eating food that is:
- unhealthy in itself,
- overeating,
- eating at improper times
- He dives into how animals were raised and the issues of eating animal flesh. He switches to discussing a simple diet, keeping it as close to nature as possible, and shares tips on food preparation.
- The last part focuses on the bodily effects of gluttony and how it destroys the strength of the body. Jackson believed that gluttony led to and created a desire for alcohol, tobacco, and narcotic drugs, resulting in a variety of adverse health problems and behaviors.
Jackson, James. (1870). Piles and Their Treatment. Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co. Medicolegal. National Library of Medicine Collection: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101190015-bk
- Internet Archives – https://archive.org/details/101190015.nlm.nih.gov
- Jackson defines piles, otherwise known as hemorrhoids, as pain, heat, or other uneasy sensation in the rectum and anus, followed by tumors or a flow of blood reoccurring at intervals. He believes that this disease begins with issues in the stomach or liver.
- He discusses the impact of poisonous medications, sedentary habits, and poor-quality food on the digestive tract through several cases in his book.
Jackson, James. (1870). American Womanhood: its Peculiarities and Necessities. Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co. Medicolegal. National Library of Medicine Collection: Medicine in the Americas, 1610-1920. https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-02710740R-bk
- Internet Archive – https://archive.org/details/02710740R.nlm.nih.gov
- A detailed study of the fascinating insights on the unique aspects and needs of American women. Jackson discusses why women have uniformly poor health, how their beauty rapidly fades, and why typically they die young. He attributes it to unhealthy food and drink, restrictive dress, constrained movement, frequent childbearing, and confinement within the home. Also covered were dress reform, marriage, pregnancy, motherhood, roles for women in society, and the vote.
Jackson, James. (1872). Journal Laws of Life and Woman’s Health Journal. Dansville, N.Y.: Austin, Jackson & Co. https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15085coll2/id/5689/rec/2
- It included articles about the water cure, hygiene, dietetics, and general health topics. (192 pages).
- Laws of Life and Woman’s Health Journal vol. XV, no. 1
- Laws of Life and Woman’s Health Journal vol. XV, no. 3
- A parenting guide focusing on child upbringing and development. Jackson begins with pregnancy, labor, and infant care. He describes the child’s developmental stages, nutrition, sleep, prevention of ailments, education, puberty, character development, and marriage.
Jackson, James. (1874). How to Treat the Sick Without Medicine. Dansville, Livingston Co., N.Y.: Austin, Jackson. National Library of Medicine Collection: Medicine in the Americas, 1610-1920
https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-8212821-b
- Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/howtotreatsickw00jackgoog/page/n10/mode/2up
- This 600-page treaty discusses Jackson’s methods of treating the sick, including the Hygienic method. He discusses what a disease is and writes a chapter on air, food, water, bathing, sunlight, dress, sleep, and the sick room. Also included are chapters about children’s diseases, human issues (e.g., worms, piles, bladder inflammation, dyspepsia, kidney diseases, spleen, liver, etc.), and practical treatment advice. He was very thorough on how to treat the human body without medication.
Jackson, James. (1882). Christ as a Physician. Dansville, N.Y., Sanatorium Publishing Co. Internet Archive – https://archive.org/details/39002086349058.med.yale.edu
- Jackson wrote on the theological exploration of Christ’s role as a healer. Jackson discusses in Christ as A Physician that many diseases afflict our people are avoidable and might be avoided by Christians if they lived close to Christ. It is not far-fetched to say that to be intimate with Him would enable all who are curable to get well.
- He shares that he witnessed people so worn down by disease as to be, to all ordinary conception, close to the gates of death, abandoned by the most skillful physicians, declared again and again to be past help. On coming here and submitting their cases to Jesus and asking for His aid, they have, from that moment, gone straight to health. It does not set aside the laws which promote the health of the body. It only adds significantly to their efficacy by bringing into play the supporting and saving forces of the Holy Spirit.

Photo: From The Jackson Sanatorium
Jackson, James. (1883). The Sanitarium. Dansville, N.Y.: At the Office of The Laws of Life.
- Welcome Collection: This publication shares the speech James C. Jackson, M.D., consulting physician of Our Home on the Hillside, Dansville, N.Y., delivered in Liberty Hall at 10 A.M., March 28th, 1881, on his 70th birthday. In his lecture, he shared his early life, continued illness at the hands of his medical doctor father, and his path to learning the Water Cure. He also shares his journey to Christianity and discusses the role of prayer and belief.
Jackson, James. (1885). The Debilities of Our Boys and the Early Decay of Our Young Men. Dansville, N.Y., Austin, Jackson & Co.
- A work addressing the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of boys was discussed. Jackson describes that a large proportion of all the youth of the country is addicted to masturbation, which is sapping the foundations of their health and spreading ruin and decay among all classes. He discusses that these habits depend primarily upon an inflammatory condition of the blood, which irritates the brain, and this results from bad living habits, especially from using stimulating foods and drinks, condiments, tobacco, etc. Jackson dives into diseases that may directly have their origin in the perverse use of sexual organs and can cause mental and moral abnormalities and impotency. He further writes on the impact of drugs, medication, alcohol, and men marrying too young, which does not give themselves time to solidify their bodies before they engage their reproductive organs. Finally, with proper curative treatment, relief from resultant diseases and a change in the blood conditions will show relief from the irritation of the brain. Available on Amazon. (free download).
Jackson, James. (1885). “The Curse” Lifted, or Maternity Made Easy. Dansville, N.Y., Sanatorium Publishing Co. National Library of Medicine Collection: https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-0116706-bk
- Internet Archive – https://archive.org/details/0116706.nlm.nih.gov
- Jackson discussed in his publication, “The Curse,” lifted, or Maternity Made Easy, the woman’s condition before and during the birth of her child. He reviews working during pregnancy, diet, dress, open air, sleep, and the use of water.
Jackson, James. (1890). The Jackson Sanatorium. Buffalo, N.Y., Matthews-Northrup Co.
- This publication describes the sanatorium in detail, including the location and facilities, diet, dress, outdoor life, mountain springs, waterfalls, treatments, rest, physical culture, and religious opportunities. The book also showcases many photos of the institute.
Jackson, James. (1955, Aug). Treating the Sick without Medicine. Journal of Natural Hygiene, V1 (N12), pg29-30.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-1-N12-Natural-Hygiene.pdf
- Dr. James C. Jackson contrasts two approaches to treating illness: one unnatural, relying on artificial agents that may harm or make healthy individuals sick, and the other natural, using methods that support and maintain health in the body. Dr. Jackson aligns himself with the natural approach, despite it being unpopular and largely ignored by mainstream medicine. He criticizes the common practice of blindly trusting physicians and medical treatments without understanding their basis or effectiveness. According to Jackson, many people follow medical treatments based on tradition or preference, not knowledge or reason.
- Jackson argues that most illnesses are preventable and that the majority of deaths are unnecessary, as people lack knowledge about how to live healthily. He believes that health is the natural state for the human body and that sickness only arises from extraordinary circumstances. If people understood how to live by the laws of life, they could avoid sickness and premature death. His message calls for greater awareness and education on living healthily to prevent disease, challenging the widespread reliance on medical interventions.
Jackson, James C. (1979). “Student Life, or, How to Work with the Brain Without Overworking the Body, 1 Mar. 1979, pp. 16-20. Exerpted from Dr. Jackson’s tract, Student Life, or, How to Work with the brain without Overworking the Body. Dansville, New York: Sanitorium Publishing company, 1884. h
ttps://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/V1-N12-Health-Science-march-1979.pdf
- In this article, James C. Jackson addresses the delicate balance between mental and physical health in student life. He emphasizes the importance of not overtaxing the body while striving for academic success. Jackson argues that students often focus too much on intellectual pursuits and neglect the physical aspect of their well-being, leading to burnout, fatigue, and even long-term health issues.
- He advises students to adopt a holistic approach to education that balances study and rest, mental exertion, and physical activity. Jackson suggests that regular exercise, proper sleep, and a balanced diet are crucial for maintaining both mental sharpness and physical vitality. By managing time effectively and recognizing the signs of physical and psychological strain, students can achieve academic success without jeopardizing their health.
The NHA wishes to remind the readers that nothing in this or other publications is intended to constitute medical treatment or advice. Readers should be aware that some previous publications do not reflect the NHA’s current health teachings or approach to health in several areas.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthy living. We recognize the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.
We communicate the benefits of a plant-based diet, exercise and rest, a healthy environment, psychological well-being, and when indicated, the use of fasting.



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