Page 66 - Summer2018

All Thumbs Book Reviews

Sustainable Medicine: Whistle-Blowing of us who want to restore our health, however,
on 21st-Century Medical Practice symptoms are the clues that allow us to figure
By Dr. Sarah Myhill out why we lost it and how to go about regaining
Chelsea Green Publishing it. Myhill provides insights into what we can
learn from various symptoms. After that, she
A few times a year, I have to do something moves on to mechanisms and tests. Here is one
that I don’t look forward to—take one of our place where modern medicine could really help
kids in for an annual checkup. We spend two people. The testing now available can give all
hours in an infection-laced waiting room, lis- sorts of additional information and insights into
tening to endless pharmaceutical commercials, why we have the symptoms we do.
followed by two minutes of interaction that are The section called “tools of the trade” cov-
laced with a bunch of bad advice and outdated ers Myhill’s seven-part “basic package” health
information. Sigh. I often wonder, “What if we program to maintain good health. Overall, this
had a different doctor?” A like-minded doc- section offers excellent basic advice and is full
tor. A doctor like the United Kingdom’s Sarah of lots of good information. Although some was
Myhill. familiar, there were many new points that I had
Her book is aimed primarily at people like not considered or seen before. Components of
me, who for whatever reason can’t find a good the seven-part basic package include a “Stone
doctor to work with and want assistance in help- Age diet,” appropriate supplementation, sleep
ing sort out their personal health issues. Myhill and exercise, proper sunshine and light exposure
says, “Everyone's an expert in their own bodies and a reduced chemical burden (both through
and minds and, given the right clues, can work detoxification and other measures). Another
out these mechanisms for themselves. This is the element involves avoiding infections while
point of this book.” At the same time, Myhill learning how to treat the infections one is un-
would love for her book to find its way into the able to avoid. The last of the seven—and one
hands of other medical professionals. I was very happy to see—was love, care and
The book lays out Myhill’s approach to community. Myhill understands that wellness
helping her patients, which starts with attention is more than just minerals and movement; it is
to symptoms. Sadly, she points out, doctors use also found in meaningful, mutually beneficial
symptoms mostly to push pills and other costly relationships. True health cannot be achieved
and often ineffective interventions rather than if we are nutritionally poor, but it also can’t be
actually using them to help patients. For those achieved if we are relationally poor.

A New Path, continued from page 63.
Haines makes many recommendations and some of the technology being used today is a nightmare that will only
has a lot of good ideas for recovering the health get worse. What will happen in the long run? Predicting the future is like
of the human race. Almost no one will be able telling a joke nobody will get for at least twenty years. This is just a guess
to adhere to all of his recommendations, but based on personal opinion, but I doubt that the human race will give up
they could be good starting points for making advanced technology and return to the wild. This could make everyone
some changes. Some ideas might be debatable. in 2040 laugh, but there it is, I said it. However, if we don't recover the
For example, I might not draw the line exactly traditional wisdom of our ancestors, even if they were a little wild, the
where he draws it when it comes to abandon- future looks grim. My thumb is UP for this book.
ing technology, although I definitely agree that Review by Tim Boyd

64 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2018