Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-06

kneading the Human System-1Ias-
| sage OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Ac-
count of the System, Etc.
Massage may be properly called, in this coun-
try, new treatment for disease, although in
some foreign countries 1t has been known, and
applied, for quite period of years, with more
or less success according to the knowledge and
perfection OF the science. The word massage is
| derived from ndss0, Greek word which means
TO knead or handle, and is anglicised into rub
Ding, kneading. percussing, and otherwise ma
nipulating or exercising the outside tissues OF
the human body with view to restoring them
TO their natural condition. In this respect it is
distinctive form Of treatment; and where 9
cure Is effected without medicine it stands out
still more distinctive and remarkable The
swedish movement cure, the Turkish bath. some
| forms OF calisthenics and similar efforts to aid
ana strengthen the nerve force of the body, are
elther outgrowths from, or have similarity to-
massage.
But the original method seems more partic,i.
! larry adapted to those who are in weak, nervous
| or paralyfic cOnditiOns-such as cannot by any
eHorts OF their own develop or strengthen the
forces necessary to permanent relief or cure.
1t is applicable to both sexes. although more
particularly to females. who are more frequently
attacked with various forms Of nervous dis
| eases.
| MASSAGE MANIPULATORS
are called Masseurs (fOr females, Masseuse) and
these to be efficient and reliable must under
| stand both the theory and practice of Massage,
else more harm than good may be done. The
more FULLY they understand and practice the
principles of the science the more valuable their
| services become. Imperfect knowledge would
| LEAD the patients and the public to consider
ooth the theory and practice a humbug. This
| method OF treatment should not be cOnfOunded
with the generally fraudulent practices of "lay-
| ing ON of hands," touching and other manipula-
tlOns, which have no bases but superstition or
| fancy. 1t has nothing whatever to do with
such practices. It's system is deep. theoretic
| ana thorough. and its practice must accord with
knowledge of the system. Manipulation is
only efficient and beneficial to the extent that
| It's application is connected with the theory. so
that it may he applied knowingly. The Masseur
must have thorough knowledge of the human
system. OF sflie character and nature of the dis
| ease. the nature,aRd condition ESQ far as s pos
siOle) OF the patient. and when, where, how and
now much TO manipulate. Thus it appears that
1t Is no small matter to become an expert Mas
Seur And II the new treatment is really vau-
able Gas seems to be the case) then the expert
becomes Invaluable in the art of treatment.
INDIVIDUAL CASES :.-s b..
massage is Of the greatest Importance. in others
but secondary, and in still others OF no use
Frequentlyit effects perfect cure; sometimes
only partial or temporary relief, and in fewer
cases it is absolutely injurious. Therefore. the
characteristics of the patient and the disease
affecting him must, or ought to be, thoroughly
studied in dOrder ito know whether or not to
apply massage. 1t is not like patent med-
cine, pretended cure all; its methods come in
only where they are needed and conditioned to
the system, and it's cures are in proportion to
it's special effectiveness and the natural tact
patience, skill and strength of the maSSe,r.
OPPOSITION TO 1T. .i2Et. )
1t is but recently that this system has claimed
the attention OF scentists-especially the medi-
cal fraternity-in the United States. And it
has, like all other innovations. medical or other
wise, met with more or less prejudice and oppO-
sitOn and still encounters obstacles of that sort
amongst the general class Of medical practi-
TONERS. Others regard it as a sort Of fanciful
and innocent novelty or craze. which will of
itself die out; but the more learned and cele-
brated physicians who have given it thought
and attention, have come to the conclusion
sensby enough that there is power and effec-
tiveness In it, andfavOr it's introduction to their
science as valuable ally. go 80
WHERE 1T IS USED.
Except in some Of our large cities, notably
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Gin
cinnat, (and to some extent in Washington, } it is
comparatively unknown. But in those men,
toned it has gained in Importance and popular
ity, especially with those of paralytic and nerv-
Gus tendencies. The process generally, is to
enlarge and develop contracted muscles and It's
sues, or. in nervous troubles, to use friction or
other peculiar action upon the system, thus
vitaliZing the energies and exhilarating dor
mant forces and causing the vena fluid to attain
its normal circulation by removing impedimentB
that medicine cannot reach
The application is made with more or less en-
ergy and strength. according to the condition or
needs OF the patient or as the parts most affected
require. There are passiue, resistiue and dssis-
taUe movements. Friction, percussion. knead-
ing, rolling. electrzing. &C., are all, more or
less, used as means to aid in the final results;
and the more the patient improves, generally
speaking, the more he can bear these appli-
ances, (Which properly used. are simple and
harmless.) one or all. as required. until nature
itself steps in and asserts its ability to use it's
own means Sometimes medicine is used as an
aid, sometimes not.
MANY REMARKABLE CURES
have been effected without the use Of medicine.
Still. massage and medicine are usually more or
less dependent upon each other-the one as it
were, regulating the outside. and the other the
inside of our wonderful mechanism when out of
order
In manipulating, sometimes the whole body
receives treatment; IN other cases, only particu-
lar parts OF the body, or the disease may be fol-
lowed as it attracts different localities. Even
the bones and other sub-cutaneous portions.
not generally Included in this system of treat
pent. are often benefited. Relaxed or contrac-
ted joints or igaments. especially In infants and
youths. areaespeciay susceptible to treatment.
and cases are on record where, in such troubles.
aged persons are cured. In most cases nourish.
Ing food, fresh am (and exercise. if possibIe).
and similar helps, should be present to aid the
ra0ssesr. &
The patient should be freed, II possible. from
all that which tends to injure the system mem
tally or physically. Melancholia and dementia
have in many cases, been very successfully
treated and ofteniprevented by an early resort
to this form Of treatment In cases OF
sleeplessness. it IN almost always an effective
remedy, thus taking the place of opiates. After
thorough manipulation there is refreshing
lethargy asia result, and sleep soon follows this
condition. lin Washington, several OF our pop
ular physicians have become cognizant OF it's
effects, andshaye recommended its adoption as
the needs of theirpatients require. Electricity
seems. in some cases, to be especially adapted
to this method But three or tour, possibly half
dozen professionals, probably. are to be found
in this city. and those, think, known only to
few Of the prominent physicians, or ut the train
ins school for nurses. and If the efficacy of this
treatment was more thoroughly known. their
efforts would be taxed to the utmost.