Some of the science quotes of "Celebrated JW scholars" need lengthy explanations, while others practically shimmer in the air by themselves. This week's installment in the science quotes of Jehovah's Witnesses is from the September 15, 1961 issue of The Watchtower. It was from a time when JW writers were almost frantic in their desire to demonize blood transfusion. The quote below claims that predilections towards murder and suicide are transmitted through the blood:
"Dr." Alonzo Jay Shadman was a homeopathic surgeon in Boston who owned the small, 150 bed Emerson Hospital, which he had purchased from its founder, Nathaniel Emerson. Shadman was a staunch advocate of naturopathy, which made him an instant authority with JW's even in the post Woodworth era.
The basic philosophy of naturopathy sounds harmless enough and even intuitive. Disease is the result of the body breaking down due to improper use and care. Naturopathy seeks to help the body repair itself "naturally" once damaged and prevent diseases with such things as proper diet, sleep, rest, fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and so forth. They help "nature" cure by utilizing or strengthening the so-called "life force" of the person. Naturopaths have thus traditionally been concerned with nutrition, diet and exercise. In this they have in some ways been ahead of their time. However, this seemingly benign philosophy and approach has a history of being taken to humorous and even unhealthy extremes.
The common cold for example was not caused by "germs" according to Shadman. It was caused by improper airflow in the bedroom which interfered with the process of sweating. He reasoned that if toxins do not get sweated out through the skin the next place they go is the mucous membranes if the throat and mouth, giving us cold symptoms. A runny nose is the body's way of eliminating poisons that did not make their way out through the skin.
Although his book was published in 1958, it reads like the JW publications Golden Age and Consolation in the 1920's and 30's. Not surprisingly, Shadman opposed both transfusion and vaccination. He is considered today to be one of the more prominent quacks of the 20th century.