Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-10

others will be found least easy of adoption into
this country. 1t is in itself an art of no mean at
tainment and proves, as has been well remarked
that animal magnetism has been practically man
ageable as to be fairly designated the handmaden
of health.
Mr.. Urquharts description of the performance,
as it is given in his work, the Pillars of Hercules,
is as follows:
"Under the dome there is an extensive plat |
form of marble slabs; on this you get up: the |
cloths are taken from your head and shoulders: |
one is spread for you to lie on, the other is rolled
for your head; and you lie down on your back: |
the tellack 1.-TWO, if the operation is properly per-
formed) kneels at your side, and bending over,
grips and presses your chest, arms and legs pass
ing from part to part like bird shifting its place
on perch; he brings his whole weight ON you
with a jerk, follows the line of muscle with
anatomical thumb, draws the open hand strongly
over the surface, particularly round the shoulders,
turning you half up in so doing; stlnds with his
feet on your thighs and on the chest, and slips
down the ribs, then up again three times; and
lastly, doubling your arms one after the other on
the chest, pushes with both hands down. begin
ming at the elbow, and then putting an arm under
the back, and applying hi, chest to your crossed
elbows, rolls on you across till you crack. You
are now turned on your face. and, in addition to
the operation above described, he works his elbows
I
ee Hauling he dRsbe Body half up BY each
successfully, while he stands with one foot the
opposite thigh. You are then raised for mo-
ment to a sitting posture, and contortion is
given to the small of the back with the knee, and
jerk to the neck by the two hands holding the
temples
The reader must guard against the supposition
that all this cracking of the joints and the supple
members, this kneading of the flesh, is attended
with discomfort or pain. When it is sklfully
performed the sensation is even pleasurable; in
deed this is signfed by the Arabic word mass,
which means "handle delicately."
Next comes the washing or rather the use of
the glove made of camels or goats hair. After
remoistening the body, which you do for yomself,
with cup given YOU for that purpose, you, in
sitting position, bend toward the attendant, who
bending over you, rubs down the back, com
mencing from the neck. Theloosened scarf skin
peals off in little elongated rolls and if collected
will form a ball as big as hyacinth root. 1t was
for the removal of this deld cutice that the
strig was anciently used; and how it has fallen
into disuse would be curious subject of research.
We may infer from an emigram of Martial's that
il originally an eastern implement, for he
speaks of its coming from Pergamus. Augustus
, borrowed his wooden reclining couch. called du
! reta, from Spain, and Suetonius expressly says
that the Sord is Spanish. Many think that the
lightly to pull or peal off, denotes its true deri-
I vation.
Following upon the glove comes the soapine
4 process. bowl of water is brought, frothed
4 with Cietan soap, which is sometimes perfumed
and the soft fbrous life of the palm tree to rub
7 the body with. With this the body is washed
beginning at the head this operation is repeated
. twice: Then come the hot cloths, in which you
= are wrapped; and the final act of the bath is, tC
i dash a bowl of water over the feet; very i'm
portant custom this, and one which opens up
4 very singular subject of inquiry, though shal
q uot at present touch upon it.
\ You sretum to the cooling-room or frigid
Il arium. There you recline upon couch with
n sense of ease and tranquility almost indescrba
n bic. The blood circuates freely the chest dilstes
the fresh air comes charged with vitality Tn
wretched find life tolerable, and the aged cast OF
~ for a momen the burden of years. Savary, de
# scrbing the sensation, says: ut feels if
q just born, and began to live for the first time
e A lively of existence spreads the Who'll
body; yields to the most pleasant imagna
:, tions, and the mind is entertained with the mos
- delightful reveries The fancy ransacks all ma
i ture, and finds in it nothing but the gayest pic
!, lures and images of pure delight If life ne run
- on, philosophizing after Locke-as was the man
= ner OF his countrymen of that day-''if life is bu
~ the succession of ideas the rapidity with whic
n the memory then traces them, the vigor wit
), which the spirit then traverses every link, woul
lead one to suppose that, in the two hours of un
broken calm which follow the bath, many year
> have elapsed" Every one who has experience
II the processes of the real Turkish bath, in thei
ts perfection bears witness to the same effect. Tn
. whole man wakes, and yet the whole man is i
n state of repose. There is sense of recondit
NJ energy, coupled with the silent serenity of abso
h lutte rest. The air grows electrical, and we FIND
% for the first time. that breathing is inspiration
This feeling soon gives place to an eager appetit
II for exercise and labor-a most natural succes
sion.'