Publications

Gehman, J. M. (1943). Smoke Over America. Beoma Publishing House: Paterson, NJ. 
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89097124226&seq=6

A critical examination of the health and societal impacts of tobacco use, mainly focusing on its widespread addiction and harmful effects. In this work, Gehman aims to raise public awareness about the dangers of smoking to encourage both individual reflection and government action. He portrays tobacco not just as a recreational substance but as a potent narcotic that contributes to numerous health issues and social problems.

The book discusses the pervasive influence of tobacco, detailing its addictive nature and its prevalence across American society. Gehman draws attention to the devastating impact that tobacco has on public health, especially considering the increasing rates of smoking among different demographics during the time. The work reflects the growing awareness in the early 20th century about the link between smoking and various diseases, a point that would later become more widely recognized.

Gehman calls for a collective awakening to the dangers of smoking and urges both the public and government officials to take action. His intent is not just to inform but also to spark a movement for regulation or prohibition, highlighting the role of tobacco companies in perpetuating its use and influence.

Through his writing, Gehman urges the reader to reconsider the widespread normalization of tobacco consumption, advocating for greater public health measures and a cultural shift away from smoking. His book reflects the early stages of what would later become a more significant anti-smoking movement in the United States.

Since “Smoke Over America” was published in 1943, it serves as an early example of public health advocacy against smoking, anticipating later campaigns that would gain significant traction in the 1950s and beyond.

Here’s a summary of the key chapters:

• The Smoldering Ruins of Mars – Gehman opens with a metaphor comparing tobacco consumption to the destruction seen in wartime, emphasizing the slow yet devastating impact tobacco has on society. He suggests that just as Mars symbolizes destruction in mythology, tobacco is a slow but inexorable destroyer of health and vitality.
• Postwar America and Its Adjustment – Gehman discusses how America, after World War II, was undergoing various societal norms and public health adjustments. He highlights how the tobacco industry, through its pervasive influence, had become a part of the postwar landscape, continuing to promote smoking despite its known dangers.
• Reducing Mania vs. Cigarette Consumption – The author contrasts the growing understanding of the harmful effects of cigarettes with society’s reluctance to curb its addiction to tobacco. He describes the “mania” of cigarette consumption as an obsession that was difficult to control, even in the face of mounting evidence against it.
• Strength, Courage, and Healthy Nerves – Gehman critiques how tobacco advertising, particularly postwar, associated smoking with qualities like strength, courage, and mental fortitude. He argues that these associations were misleading and that smoking actually undermines health and mental clarity.
• The Appeal of American Advertising – In this chapter, Gehman explores the role of advertising in promoting tobacco. He discusses how tobacco companies used persuasive marketing to glamorize smoking, making it appear desirable and even essential to a modern lifestyle despite its detrimental effects.
• Lowest Ebb – Gehman reflects on the moral and social low point that society had reached by normalizing smoking to the extent that it had. He critiques the widespread acceptance of tobacco consumption despite its clear harms and considers this a cultural failing.
• Free Advertising for Movies, Press, Radio, and Novels – Gehman discusses how various forms of media, including movies, the press, radio, and novels, played a significant role in normalizing and promoting smoking. He argues that these forms of media provided “free advertising” for tobacco companies, making smoking even more ingrained in American culture.
• Who Profits from Tobacco Advertising? – This chapter examines the parties benefiting from the tobacco industry, including advertisers, media outlets, and even the government (which collected substantial tax revenues from tobacco sales). Gehman explores how these groups contributed to the widespread acceptance of smoking, despite the health consequences.
• Our Nation’s Profits – Gehman highlights the financial stakes of the tobacco industry, discussing how the massive profits generated by tobacco sales often overshadowed concerns about public health. He points out that tobacco’s profitability led to its continued promotion and its entanglement with American industry and politics.
• Increasing the Smoke Cloud – The author describes the increasing pervasiveness of tobacco use in terms of consumption and its impact on public health. He warns that the “smoke cloud” of tobacco use was expanding and that its long-term effects would continue to devastate the nation unless action was taken.
• Tobacco: A Costly Crop – Gehman emphasizes the cost of tobacco as an agricultural crop, noting how vast amounts of land were dedicated to its production, and how this could have been better used to grow food that would feed millions of people. He questions whether the economic benefits of tobacco justify its destructive consequences.
• Food on Tobacco Acres Would Benefit Millions – Gehman argues that the resources spent on growing tobacco could be redirected toward growing food to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. He suggests that a shift away from tobacco farming would benefit society.
• Any Smoker Knows These Effects of Tobacco – Gehman addresses the common, everyday effects of smoking that most smokers are aware of, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and a general decline in physical well-being. He suggests that smokers often ignore or downplay these signs of damage.
• Science Knows The Effects of Tobacco – This chapter presents scientific evidence about the dangers of smoking, detailing its harmful effects on various organs and systems. Gehman cites medical research that shows smoking contributes to lung cancer, heart disease, and numerous other health problems.
• Science Says Tobacco Is a Heart Poison – Gehman highlights the damaging effects of smoking on the heart and circulatory system. He explains how tobacco use leads to heart disease, hypertension, and other cardiovascular issues, presenting this as one of the most serious risks of smoking.
• Effects of Smoking on the Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Lungs, Intestinal Tract, and Eyes – This chapter delves into the specific health problems caused by smoking in different organs, such as ulcers and liver damage, as well as its contribution to respiratory diseases, including lung cancer. Gehman stresses that smoking harms almost every part of the body.
• Tobacco, Sex, Fertility, Impotency, Beauty, and Longevity – Gehman explores the impact of smoking on sexual health, fertility, and physical appearance. He explains that smoking contributes to impotence, reduced fertility, and a faster rate of aging, as well as diminished beauty, through the effects on skin and hair.
• Smoking and Cancer – The author discusses the direct link between smoking and cancer, particularly lung cancer. Gehman presents research showing that smoking is a leading cause of various types of cancer, not just in the lungs but also in the mouth, throat, and other organs.
• Effects of Smoking on the Unborn – Gehman examines the dangers of smoking during pregnancy, noting that it can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems in babies. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding tobacco use during pregnancy.
• Effects of Tobacco on the Brain and Mind – This chapter looks at the neurological and psychological effects of tobacco, such as addiction, impaired cognition, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Gehman explains how nicotine addiction alters brain chemistry and leads to dependency.
• Tobacco and Juvenile Delinquency – Gehman explores the connection between smoking and juvenile delinquency, suggesting that smoking is often a gateway to other harmful behaviors. He argues that smoking contributes to a decline in moral and physical standards, which can manifest in youth crime and antisocial behavior.
• What Are the Destructive Poisons of Tobacco? – In this chapter, Gehman details the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke, including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. He describes how these poisons accumulate in the body over time, causing long-term damage to various organs.
• Cigarette Smoking and Our Low Physical Standard – Gehman argues that cigarette smoking is a major contributor to the nation’s declining physical health. He discusses how smoking undermines fitness, stamina, and overall health, contributing to the nation’s low physical standards.
• Then Why Do People Smoke? – Gehman reflects on why people continue to smoke despite the overwhelming evidence of its harm. He attributes smoking to addiction, social pressures, advertising, and the perceived need to fit in or appear sophisticated.
• Opposition to the Truth-Tellers About Tobacco – This chapter discusses the opposition faced by those who speak out against tobacco use, including the influence of the tobacco industry and its allies who work to suppress or discredit the truth about smoking’s dangers.
• For Those Who Want to Stop Smoking – Gehman concludes with advice for smokers who want to quit. He offers strategies for overcoming addiction and emphasizes the importance of willpower, support, and understanding the severe risks associated with continued tobacco use.

Gehman, J. M. (1947). A Commemorative and Descriptive Book on the Light of Naturopathy. 

Gehman, J. M. (1947).  Living Today for Tomorrow. 

Gehman, J. M. (1950). Is Smoking Harmful? G&R Anthony, Inc: New York.
https://archive.org/details/issmokingharmful00gehm/page/n5/mode/2up

A comprehensive examination of the dangers of smoking was written to raise public awareness about the numerous health risks associated with tobacco use. Gehman presents scientific evidence to show how smoking negatively impacts various parts of the body and mind, and he also discusses the broader social implications of tobacco use. The book is structured into several chapters, each focusing on different aspects of smoking and its effects.  Gehman presents a persuasive argument that smoking is harmful to nearly every aspect of human health and well-being. His detailed, scientific approach to the topic seeks to educate readers on the far-reaching consequences of tobacco use, offering both a wake-up call to smokers and practical advice for those seeking to quit. The book serves as an early contribution to the growing movement to inform the public about the dangers of smoking, a campaign that would later gain momentum in the 1960s and 1970s.

Here’s a summary of the key chapters:

1. Any Smoker Knows These Effects of Tobacco
   Gehman begins by addressing the common, observable effects of smoking that most smokers are aware of, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and diminished physical endurance.
2. Science Knows These Effects of Tobacco
   The author moves into a more scientific exploration, summarizing the known physiological impacts of smoking and citing studies and research findings that link smoking to various diseases and bodily dysfunctions.
3. Science Says Tobacco is Heart Poison
   Gehman focuses on the cardiovascular risks of smoking, explaining how tobacco use is a significant contributor to heart disease, hypertension, and other circulatory issues.
4. Effects of Smoking on the Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Lungs, Intestinal Tract, and Eyes
   In this chapter, Gehman outlines the harmful effects smoking has on specific organs, highlighting the increased risk of ulcers, liver damage, lung cancer, digestive issues, and vision problems.
5. Tobacco, Sex, Fertility, Impotency, Beauty, and Longevity
   Gehman discusses the impact of smoking on reproductive health, fertility, sexual performance, skin appearance, and overall lifespan. He emphasizes how tobacco consumption can lead to impotence, reduced fertility, and premature aging.
6. Smoking and Cancer
   This chapter focuses on the strong connection between smoking and cancer, particularly lung cancer, but also other types of cancers linked to smoking, such as those affecting the throat, mouth, and pancreas.
7. Effects of Smoking on the Unborn
   Gehman explores the dangers of smoking during pregnancy, including the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, developmental issues, and the increased likelihood of birth defects in babies born to mothers who smoke.
8. Effects of Tobacco on the Brain and the Mind
   The author explains how smoking affects mental health and cognitive function, contributing to anxiety, depression, and a decline in overall mental clarity. He also discusses the addictive nature of nicotine and its impact on the brain’s reward system.
9. Cigarette Smoking and Our Low Physical Standard
   Gehman argues that smoking is a major contributor to the decline in physical health and fitness among the general population, explaining how it undermines physical performance and contributes to widespread health issues.
10. Then Why Do People Smoke?
    Gehman examines the psychological and social reasons people continue to smoke despite the well-known risks. He touches on addiction, peer pressure, cultural factors, and the influence of tobacco advertising.
11. For Those Who Want to Stop Smoking
    This chapter is a practical guide for individuals who want to quit smoking. Gehman offers advice on overcoming addiction, addressing withdrawal symptoms, and strategies for successfully giving up tobacco.
12. Two Articles from Reader’s Digest on Quitting Smoking
    The final section includes two articles from Reader’s Digest, providing additional perspectives on the challenges and methods of quitting smoking, reinforcing the book’s central message.

Mercer Gehman, J. (1954, October). Let Us Have Vision. The Impact of Natural Hygiene on American Life Today, 1(N2), 6, 7, 24.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-1-N2-Natural-Hygiene.pdf

• Natural Hygiene’s greatest impact currently lies in the personal examples of individuals who have regained their health through this way of living. These personal successes have sparked the spread of the movement, as those who have benefitted share their experiences with neighbors, friends, and communities. The movement’s influence is growing through local units and national conventions, supported by publications like the Journal of Natural Hygiene.
• The movement has been significantly shaped by past leaders such as Dr. Shelton and modern figures like Dr. Gian-Cursio, Dr. Benesh, and Dr. Anderson, who have carried the banner of Natural Hygiene. However, for continued progress, it is essential that every individual who benefits from Natural Hygiene supports the movement and shares the message in their communities. The key to its expansion lies in example-driven education, without force or condemnation, but through the positive influence of those who have experienced its benefits.

Mercer Gehman, J. (1955, Feb/Mar). Pursuit of Peace. Journal of Natural Hygiene, V1(N6-7), pg23, 33, 34.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-1-N6-7-Natural-Hygiene.pdf

• The passage highlights that many individuals lack faith, patience, and respect for others’ viewpoints, which leads to unnecessary strife. In organizations, this often results in divisiveness, false accusations, and unjust criticism of leaders. The text asserts that these actions hinder progress and are rooted in personal insecurities and an inability to prioritize collective goals over personal satisfaction.
• To achieve real peace, it is necessary for individuals to cultivate peace within their own hearts through practices like empathy, tolerance, and understanding. By working on “soul cleaning” daily, individuals can transform their internal state, influencing those around them and contributing to broader peace. The passage concludes by urging people to act with kindness, serenity, and harmony in service to humanity and in alignment with divine principles.

Mercer Gehman, J. (1955, Jun/Jul). Medical Freedom in the USA – It’s Lack, Great Potential and Future Assurance. Journal of Natural Hygiene, V1(N10-11), Pg44-49.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-1-N10-11-Natural-Hygiene.pdf

• Dr. Mercer Gehman reaffirms that medical freedom is a fundamental right that is under threat whenever individuals are forced into conventional medical treatments or compelled to submit to state-imposed health requirements. He calls for protecting this right, urging that people should be free to choose their healing methods and practice their preferred form of medicine. He cites the failure of the Founding Fathers to explicitly address “Medical Freedom” in the Constitution.
• The essay traces the rise of state-driven medical policies, such as mandatory vaccination laws, starting with Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine. Gehman draws parallels between the fear-driven acceptance of vaccinations in the past and the contemporary fears surrounding diseases like polio, where government policies and medical institutions have gained significant control. He critiques the use of germ theory to justify state intervention and the expansion of orthodox medical practices through legislation.

Mercer Gehman, J. (1955, Aug). Bernarr MacFadden and Fasting. Journal of Natural Hygiene, V1 (N12), pg15-16.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-1-N12-Natural-Hygiene.pdf

•  Dr. Jesse Mercer Gehman defends Bernarr Macfadden, the Father of Physical Culture, against misleading reports suggesting that fasting contributed to his death. The Associated Press had wrongly claimed that Macfadden’s jaundice was aggravated by fasting, a statement that sparked confusion and concern among those who supported the fasting method. Dr. Gehman, who knew Macfadden and his long history with fasting, asserts that fasting did not cause or worsen his condition. In fact, he believes that fasting may have helped prevent the situation from worsening sooner. Macfadden’s death was the result of a toxic crisis. In this natural bodily response, vital energies are redirected to areas of greater need in emergencies, and was not related to fasting.
• Dr. Gehman emphasizes that Macfadden had spent over seventy years promoting fasting based on personal experience and its success in various health cases.  Gehman also criticizes how some reports used Macfadden’s death to undermine the validity of fasting, an approach that Macfadden himself had championed for much of his life. According to Gehman, this misrepresentation was a sad irony, as Macfadden had dedicated his life to propagating the benefits of fasting.

Mercer Gehman, J. (1956, Winter). Second Part of Medical Freedom. Journal of Natural Hygiene, V2(N1), Pg21-24.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-2-N1-journal-of-Natural-Hygiene-Winter-issue-1956.pdf

• Dr. Jesse Mercer Gehman argues that individual rights are being violated through compulsory medical procedures, such as vaccinations, physical exams, and specific medical tests required for education, marriage, or public health. The author highlights that these compulsory laws are not typically enacted by federal legislation but are the result of influential political and medical organizations, notably the American Medical Association (AMA), which has used extensive public relations campaigns funded by doctors’ dues and taxpayer dollars to promote mandatory medical practices at the state and local levels.
• The government’s paternalistic approach to medicine has created fear, leading to laws that compel citizens to undergo medical treatments, such as the Salk vaccine for polio, despite no direct federal mandate. The author emphasizes that although “freedom of choice” is supposedly guaranteed by law, it is often limited to choosing an allopathic (mainstream) physician. At the same time, those who prefer other forms of treatment (e.g., naturopathy, homeopathy) must pay for such services out of their own pockets.
• The Citizens Medical Reference Bureau, a key organization advocating for medical freedom, has fought against compulsory vaccination, health exams, and other intrusions on individual rights. The Bureau’s mission is to ensure that individuals can choose their healthcare provider without coercion or restrictions, especially regarding the right to choose treatments from non-mainstream medical schools.

Mercer Gehman, J. (1957, Winter). Precepts of Living. Journal of Natural Hygiene, V2(N3-4), pg9-10.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-2-N3-4-Natural-Hygiene.pdf

• Dr. Jesse Mercer Gehman reflects on the concept of living, emphasizing that humans are not just physical beings but also require mental and spiritual nourishment. Living involves meeting not just physical needs (such as food, shelter, and sleep) but also mental and spiritual desires. Each individual has a unique design of life, but there is a common need for a balance between the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of being.
• The author argues that these three aspects cannot be substituted for one another—physical nourishment cannot replace mental or spiritual fulfillment, and vice versa. However, a well-rounded individual nurtures all three physical, mental, and spiritual planes. Neglecting one of these can lead to imbalance. For example, those who focus solely on physical indulgence (hedonism) or those who neglect their physical well-being in favor of spiritual growth are unbalanced.
• Gehman also stresses that physical health and vitality are essential for mental and spiritual well-being. Taking care of the body through healthy habits can stimulate the mind and contribute to spiritual growth. He suggests that the body is a temple and should be honored and maintained in a way that supports overall health and a fulfilling life. In this way, the pursuit of health and self-improvement on all levels is a holistic approach to living.

Mercer Gehman, J. (1959). Why? Use Suncooked Juice Foods Daily! For Health, Strength, Happiness! American Better Health Publications, Paterson, NJ.
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31822042770313&seq=10

This book advocates for the health benefits of consuming raw, fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly in the form of juices. It emphasizes the vital role that live, uncooked foods play in maintaining health, promoting strength, and fostering happiness. The book was published in 1959, at a time when there was growing interest in holistic health and natural food remedies.

Here’s a summary of the key chapters:

1. Juice Foods and Health: Gehman argues that fruit and vegetable juices are essential for optimal health. He stresses the importance of consuming these juices daily to nourish the body with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes often lost when food is cooked or processed.
2. Rediscovery of Fruit and Vegetable Juices: The book explores the historical context of fresh juices, discussing how they were once a staple in diets but have been largely replaced by cooked foods and processed diets. Gehman calls for a “rediscovery” of these life-giving foods.
3. Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Juices: The author advocates for eating raw fruits and vegetables to harness their full nutritional potential. He highlights how the juices of these raw foods are particularly beneficial to the body.
4. Life and Principles of Fruit and Vegetables: Gehman delves into the life principles embedded in fruits and vegetables—how they are natural sources of energy and vitality. He suggests that consuming raw produce directly contributes to a stronger and more vibrant life.
5. Individual Responsibility for Health: A central theme in the book is the notion of personal responsibility in health. Gehman encourages individuals to take charge of their well-being by incorporating live foods into their diets.
6. The Right and Wrong Ways to Use Juice Foods: While the benefits of juice foods are clear, Gehman also discusses common mistakes people make when incorporating juices into their diets, such as improper preparation or overconsumption.
7. Nutritional Content of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices: Gehman provides an in-depth analysis of the nutritional components of fruits and vegetables, such as vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, which he believes are crucial to maintaining good health.
8. Protein from Plant Sources: The book challenges the conventional wisdom that protein must come from animal products like meat, milk, cheese, and eggs. Gehman argues that fresh fruits and vegetables also provide sufficient protein, making them a viable source of nutrition for a healthy diet.
9. Renewing Life with Live Foods: Gehman highlights how live (uncooked) foods, particularly juices, can help rejuvenate the body and reverse the effects of aging, illness, and poor health.
10. Vitamin, Mineral, and Enzyme Deficiency: The book critiques the modern American diet, which often lacks essential nutrients found in raw fruits and vegetables. Gehman warns that processed foods and “dead” foods (cooked or nutrient-poor) are starving the population, leading to poor health and disease.
11. The Healing Power of Uncooked Juices: Gehman believes that uncooked fruit and vegetable juices can help cure various diseases thanks to their healing properties and life-supporting elements.
12. The Importance of Vitamins, Minerals, and Enzymes: The book stresses that these vital nutrients are abundant in raw foods and are often destroyed in cooked or processed food.
13. The Enzyme Factor: Gehman explains the importance of enzymes in the body, which are essential for digestion and overall health. He asserts that live foods, particularly raw juices, are rich in enzymes that can help optimize bodily functions.
14. Replacing Coffee Breaks with Juice: In a practical suggestion, Gehman advocates for replacing caffeine-heavy coffee breaks with healthy juice breaks as a way to boost energy and well-being.
15. Origins of Common Fruits and Vegetables: The book includes historical and botanical information about the origins of common fruits and vegetables, underscoring their importance in human nutrition.
16. Salient Points to Remember: Gehman sums up key points for readers to remember when it comes to consuming live foods, particularly juices, for a healthier and more vibrant life.
17. Opinions of Present-Day Physicians and Nutritionists: The book also includes perspectives from contemporary medical professionals and nutrition experts who are beginning to recognize the importance of raw food diets and fresh juices for health.

Mercer Gehamn, J. (1960, March). Insects – Pests or Friends. Magazine – Natural Hygiene, V5(No 5), Pg1, 6, 8-10, 12-13.
https://www.healthscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NH-Mar.-1960.pdf

• In “Insects – Pests or Friends,” Dr. Jesse Mercer Gehman argues that the conventional classification of insects as either pests or beneficial creatures is flawed, much like the outdated theories surrounding germs and disease. He emphasizes that the health of both soil and the human body is intertwined, with the presence of pests often indicating underlying issues such as depleted or diseased soil. Drawing from personal experiences on a farm where chemical fertilizers were not used, he highlights traditional agricultural practices like crop rotation and natural fertilizers that foster healthy plants and reduce insect problems. Gehman shares a narrative of an organic farmer dedicated to enriching the soil through natural methods, reinforcing his view that healthy plants are not susceptible to insect damage.

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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.