Publications:

Of his numerous publications, the best known are:

Graham, Sylvester. (1833). A Lecture on Epidemic Diseases Generally, and Particularly the Spasmodic Cholera. New York: Mahlon Day, 1833. Presented in New York, March 1832. Albany, June, 1832. Albany, July, 1832. New York, June, 1833. 80 pages.

• In this lecture, he connected all the nerves of organic life and shared how they are woven together. It is through these connections that food is transformed into energy.  He shares that when the function of digestion is healthy, man has the greatest physical power for achievement and endurance and the ability to resist the influence of cold, heat, wet, dry, or any infectious diseases. When the stomach is debilitated, as a necessary consequence, a general debility of functional power presents as inflammation, painful sensibility, and disorganization, followed by death.
• He discussed the practice of tobacco, which he considers to be a powerful narcotic poison to the body. He shares that the action of all artificial stimulants on living tissues is always at the expense of the vital energies of the tissues.
• He discussed cholera and how the alimentary canal wants to expel it from the body. Giving warm water to cleanse and soothe the stomach and intestine, the disorder ceases. But if the person has a long history of abuse, it can result in the body being unable to sustain these irritations, which induces death. He points out that extreme cases are exhibited by those who do not have a good diet or health and have extremely reduced vital powers of their organic nerves, resulting in almost instant death, as noted in the summer of 1831 in Georgetown, DC.
• He discussed the winter of 1809 and the epidemic that broke out in CT. Many used brandy and laudanum as treatment, which he felt resulted in death.
• Treatment, he believed, should begin by removing the irritation of the alimentary canal, allowing it to calm down.  He recommended giving only water, wheat bran tea, or rice water. The patient should be kept clean in person, including clothing, bedding, house, etc., and the morbid irritation should be subdued within the next 24 hours.
• The appendix contains several testimonials and the rules of the Graham boarding house.

Graham, Sylvester. (1834). The Aesculapian Tablets of the Nineteenth Century. Providence, RI. Printed by Weeden and Cory.  96 pages.

• Aesculapian was an ancient physician and, in mythology, was the god of medicine. Temples were dedicated to him. In the temples, people who had been sick and recovered their health went and set up a pillar and recorded their disease. The cause and healing.
• However, today, man has moved towards the belief that there are remedies for disease in every form rather than prevention of the disease by avoiding its causes. Remedies often prove more destructive than the original, cause themselves, and accelerate death. 
• If the body becomes diseased, it is always the result of some disturbing, offending cause. The disease can only be kept up while such a cause continues to prevent the healthy operation of the system. Health can only be recovered by the healthy operation of the system. Chronic disease is the continued result of continued action of disturbing causes.
• He shares general rules to follow: medicine of every kind should be totally abstained from. Distilled spirits, wine, beer, cider, tobacco, opium, coffee, tea, condiments, stimulants, and narcotics should be totally abandoned. If the patient is very diseased, he should abstain from food and consume pure water or liquids until health is restored. 
• Solid forms of food should be eaten in their natural and simple state, plainly prepared, and eaten in moderate quantities at regular periods. The battle should be kept regular with unbolted wheat meals, bread, and fruit. The last meal of the day should be simple, light, and a good distance from bedtime. Never sleep full stomach. Keep the skin clean, and exercise the body regularly.
• He goes on to share letters he has written and received.

Graham, Sylvester. (1837) Treatise on Bread and Bread-Making. Boston, Mass. Light & Sterns. Reissued in 2012 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. 131 pages.

Graham, Sylvester. (1837). A Lecture to Young Men on Chastity: Intended also for the Serious Consideration of Parents and Guardians, Boston, MA. Light & Stearns, Crocker & Brewster. 206 pages.

• In this lecture, he shares that man’s constitutional nature, when strictly obeyed, will always secure the highest happiness and that every disease and suffering results from violating these laws of nature.
• He shares that the nerves of the genital organs are susceptible to irritation, causing a diseased excitability. He believes that this forces the sufferer into excessive desires and unclean thoughts. All kinds of stimulating and highly seasoned foods, eaten to excess, increase the excitability of the genital organs. This forces the sexual desire to influence the whole domain of the nerves of organic life. This particularly affects the stomach, brain, and heart and causes digestion to be interrupted. These irritations and disturbances cannot be continued for long without serious injury to the entire system.
• He discusses puberty and its impact on fully developed organs. He believes that sexual desire disturbs the functions of nerves for vital energy and that the unchastity of thought is the beginning of immeasurable evil.
• He writes that if our children are given to eating animal flesh, highly seasoned and richly prepared food, and learn to drink tea, coffee, alcohol, and other stimulants, it will drive them to further their desires. 
• He discusses the difference between marital sex and that of sex through illicit commerce and how this will increase lust. He also goes into depth on what he calls “self-pollution” and believes it to be unnatural and, when begun early in life, can cause permanent health issues.

Graham, Sylvester. (1837). Lectures On the Science of Human Life. New York. Fowler and Wells.

• Considering that it was written over 150 years ago, it is remarkable and a veritable classic on the subject. This text covered practically the entire field of the hygienic reform movement, diving into anatomy, physiology, mortality, regularity in eating, thorough mastication, hygienic cookery, quantity and quality of food, fasting, sleep, air, bathing, and exercise. Scholars have selected this work as being significantly crucial regarding human health. It is a foundation of the knowledge base of health science as we know it today and has been digitally preserved for generations to come. 650 pages.

Graham, Sylvester. (1839). Lectures on the Science of Human Life (Volume 1). Boston, Mass. Marsh, Capen, Lyon, and Webb

Graham, Sylvester. (1839). Lectures on the Science of Human Life (Volume 2). Boston, Mass. Marsh, Capen, Lyon, and Webb.

Graham, Sylvester. (1839). Lectures on the Science of Human Life. Boston, Mass. Marsh, Capen, Lyon, and Webb.

Whitten, James C., and James C. Whitten Collection on the History of Vegetarianism (Schlesinger Library). The Graham Journal of Health And Longevity. Boston, Mass.: David Campbell, 1837-1839.

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.