Eli Peck Miller | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 1828 (1828) |
| Died | 19 December 1912(1912-12-19) (aged 83–84) |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, writer |
Eli Peck Miller (1828 – 19 December 1912), best known asE. P. Miller was an American physician,hydrotherapist, vegetarian andnatural hygiene advocate.
Miller was a 1862 graduate of theNew York Hygeio-Therapeutic College and an 1864 graduate ofBellevue Hospital Medical College.[1][2] Early in his career Miller worked with hydrotherapistRussell Trall. Miller was physician and proprietor of the New Hygienic Institution and Turkish Bath inNew York City.[3] The institution had electric, Roman andTurkish baths.[3]
Miller combined hydrotherapy with diet as complementary therapeutics. He opposed the use ofalcohol andtobacco.[4] Miller was aChristian who held the view that suffering was the result of sin and disease could be caused by eating the wrong foods. He recommended that his clients abstain from coffee, strong milk, pickles, spices and tea.[3]
From 1865, Miller was the editor ofThe Herald of Health and Journal of Physical Culture.[5] This journal was the successor ofThe Herald of Health edited by Russell Trall. In 1893, the journal changed title to theJournal of Hygiene and Herald of Health.[5]
Miller died ofpneumonia on 19 December 1912, aged 84.[1]
Miller was aphrenologist and contributed articles toThe Phrenological Journal and Science of Health. His hygienic institute conducted phrenological examinations. In 1875,Louisa May Alcott was one of his notable clients.[6]
Miller converted to spiritualism after attending seances of theEddy brothers.[7][8]
Miller became a vegetarian in 1850.[9] He was adyspeptic and stated that a vegetarian diet aided his recovery. He became interested in vegetarianism through reading the works of Russell Trall. In 1860, Miller spoke at the Eleventh Annual Meeting of theAmerican Vegetarian Society.[9]
In 1909, Miller wrote that "I am over half way to my 81st birthday. I have not eaten flesh, fish or fowl for many years. I do not use milk unless it is sterilized or pasteurized."[10]