15. What Bible counsel on mental and physical health has been shown to be practical?

¹⁵ The Bible also provides valuable pointers regarding physical and mental health. (Prov. 15:17; 17:22) In recent years, medical research has demonstrated that a person’s physical health is indeed affected by his mental attitude. For example, studies have shown that persons who are prone to express anger often have the highest levels of blood pressure. Some reported that anger produced cardiac sensations, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, or inability to vocalize. However, the Bible long ago explained: “A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism.”​—Prov. 14:30; compare Matthew 5:9.

17. How has the Bible been shown to be medically sound?

¹⁷ The statement that the ‘life of the flesh is in the blood’ has in modern times come to be recognized as a basic truth of medical science. (Lev. 17:11-14) The Mosaic Law indicated which animals, birds, and fish were “clean” for human consumption, and it excluded risky foods. (Lev., chap. 11) The Law required that at a military encampment, human excrement be covered over, thus providing considerable protection from fly-borne infectious diseases, such as dysentery and typhoid fever. (Deut. 23:9-14) Even today, in some lands severe health problems exist because of improper disposal of human wastes. People in such lands would be much healthier if they followed the Bible’s counsel on hygiene.

18. What other illustration of the Bible’s scientific accuracy is given?

¹⁸ The Bible recommends a little wine for “the sake of your stomach” and for “sickness.” (1 Tim. 5:23) Dr. Salvatore P. Lucia, professor of medicine at the University of California School of Medicine, writes: “Wine is the most ancient dietary beverage and the most important medicinal agent in continuous use throughout the history of mankind.”k