Isaac Jennings

Isaac Jennings (1788–1874) was a prominent American physician and health reformer who is often associated with the Natural Hygiene movement. He is best known for his advocacy of orthopathy, a system of natural healing that emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest.

Early life and education

Jennings was born in Fairfield County, Connecticut in 1788. He attended Yale University, where he studied medicine and graduated in 1812. After graduation, he began practicing medicine in Derby, Connecticut.

Career

In his early career, Jennings followed the conventional medical practices of his time, which often involved the use of bloodletting and purging. However, he became disillusioned with these methods after observing their harmful effects on his patients.

In the 1820s, Jennings began to develop his own approach to health and healing, which he called "orthopathy". This approach emphasized the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest, and rejected the use of drugs and other invasive treatments.

Jennings' ideas were controversial, but they gained a following among those who were dissatisfied with the conventional medical practices of the time. He published several books on his approach to health, including The Philosophy of Human Life (1833) and Medical Reform (1847).

Legacy

Jennings' ideas have had a lasting impact on the field of natural health. His emphasis on diet, exercise, and rest as the keys to good health has been echoed by many subsequent health reformers. His work is often cited as a precursor to the modern holistic health movement.

See also

• Natural Hygiene
• Orthopathy
• Holistic health

References

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