o that all means of
healing may be used to the best advantage, each in its appropriate sphere.
When members of Baha'u'llah's own family were sick, a professional
physician was called in, and this practice is recommended to His
followers. He says: "Should ye be attacked by illness or disease, consult
skillful physicians."--Kitab-i-Aqdas.

This is quite in accordance with the Baha'i attitude towards science and
art generally. All sciences and arts which are for the benefit of mankind,
even in a material way, are to be esteemed and promoted. Through science
man becomes the master of material things; through ignorance he remains
their slave.

Baha'u'llah writes:--

Do not neglect medical treatment when it is necessary, but leave
it off when health has been restored. Treat disease through diet,
by preference, refraining from the use of drugs; and if you find
what is required in a single herb, do not resort to a compound
medicament.... Abstain from drugs when the health is good, but
administer them when necessary.--Tablet to a Physician

In one of His Tablets 'Abdu'l-Baha says:--

O seeker after truth! There are two ways of healing sickness,
material means and spiritual means. The first way is through the
use of material remedies. The second consists in praying to God
and in turning to Him. Both means should be used and practiced....
Moreover, they are not incompatible, and you should accept the
physical remedies as coming from the mercy and favor of God Who
has revealed and made manifest medical knowledge, so that His
servants may profit by this kind of treatment also.

He teaches that, were our natural tastes and instincts not vitiated by
foolish and unnatural modes of living, they would become reliable guides
in the choice both of appropriate diet and of medicinal fruits, herbs and
other remedies, as is the case with wild animals. In an interesting talk
on healing, recorded in Some Answered Questions (p. 298), He says in
conclusion:--

It is therefore evident that it is possible to cure by foods,
aliments, and fruits; but as to-day the science of medicine is
imperfect, this fact is not yet fully grasped. When the science of
medicine reaches perfection, treatment will be given by foods,
aliments, fragrant fruits, and vegetables, and by various waters,
hot and cold in temperature.

Even when the means of healing are material