The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-06-27
MASSAGE TREATMENT.
a Minute Description of tho Somewhat
puiuitl HrDpcas

small, and as you lie on your back you
look up as the most amazing representa-
tions of trees on the ceiling paper that
ever man gaaed at.
The first lesson is a manipulation of
the toes, and, really, man who has
been accustomed TO regard these por-
tions of his anatomy as modest, if
somewhat obscure, members of his
body physical is somewhat surprised
TO find how suddenly they start into
prominence under the hands of the
mnsseur.
Raising the foot by placing the left
hand under the heel, The operator twig-
giles the toes. This word "twiggles"
does not sound impressive, but it ex-
presses the operation perfectly. There
seems to be movement throughout
the foot, a sort of internal convulsion
of exercise in unexpected depths, that
amazes the one operated on. AT the
same time the sensation is pleasant, and
this, combined with its novelty, makes
one wish it might continue longer. I'm
fortunately, there are otherpa of the
body to be astonishcd and the masseur
huiIics on.
In the soft music of Hawaiian speech
there are no syllables dearer to the low
er of ease than Somi-Somi 1t means
sleep after fatigue, comfort after a
'chief's oven is opened, utter peace
whenever you undergo it. AS the
strong verile hands OF a vigorous mas
seur creep up the leg one understands
the significance of Somi-Somi The
muscles are gathered up by Il curious
movement of the skillful hands into
lunches, gently squeezed and allowed
to sink back into place. AS this goes
on it is accompanied by a curious circuit
Gus movement, under which the flesh
is moved in circles. Scientifically speak
ing, all of this work is meant to treat
the flesh rs you would sponge-to
squeeze it until the iufnitesimal parti-
clcg Of waste tissue are moved or dis
lodged, and allowed to find their way
into the veins.
The operator l4ts your leg, resting
it on his left hand He seizes the foot
with the right hand and does something.
1t is difficult to describe what this some-
thing is. but the result is that every
joint in the leg rattles until the joints
seem to come apart. The leg you have
been accustomed to regard as decently
solid seems to be the most loosely tied
thing in the world, and your anger at
this queer assault at that portion of
your personal dignity residing in the
leg would find forcible expression were
II not all such an astonishing surprise.
When the masseur attacks the thigh
where the muscles are big and power
full, the japanese method comes into
play. The respect one involUntarily
feels for the japanese method when he
hears it is carried on 10y blind men, and
insurcs the living of these unfortunates
under the rule of the Miliado, van
ishes when he undergoes it. The
japanese method simply amounts to the
most elaborate and eXcruciating system
of pinching one may conceive of, The
flesh is gathered up by the fingers and
palm, squeezed violently and sharply
and allowed to go back into place. A
good massage involves 1872 movements
minute.
But it is just this sort of work which
reduces the flesh of him who goes
through with it. Briefly expressed, the
object of massage is to supply to the
muscles that exercise which their owner
should give them but doesn't. Instead
of moving these from within by ones
own will, you allow some one to move
them from without 10y seizing hold of
them and working them. The result is
the same; there is absorption of waste
tissue and the arterial blood rushes in
to supply new. Take the result when
the masscur slaps the flesh with his
hands followed into cups. In very
short order there is n reddish look which
shows how the capillary blood vessels
have been stimulated. And this treat
ment Of tapote, as the French call it, is
that which one gets in Turkish bath
and which brings the glow which en-
ables you - resist the cold 1t stimu-
lates the blood vessels of the skin as
nothing else will.
But the stick with leather thongs fas-
tened to an end, the fageltum-to give
it the name it bore in the imperial baths
in Rome when Tibcrus Caesar bathed--
plays it's part in massage. 1t is used to
stimulate the skin, and although its
beneficiary is irresistably reminded OF
his school days, it does coed work
The wrinkles which worry women
and the double chin which men are sell
dom proud of may be greatly helped by
massage. TO remove the first take up
between the ends OF the fingers small
.bunch Of hcsh, give 1t gentle but de-
cided twirl, and let it go. TO help the
second, take the Skin and flesh in tho
same fashion, work it sharply around
and finish
But there is an especial massage for
the throat which is of use in throat dis
eases, Like all the others it is impos-
sible to describe it in words, as the
movements are most complicated. 1t
includes, however, manipulation of
the viens Of the neck in addition to the
movement Of the muscles, The first
impression you Feceive is that the mas
sour is trying 10 pry your head off, but,
relieved OF this apprehension, you can
devote the attention TO counting the
new points Of sensation developed
Perhaps the most amazing experience
of massage is the work done upon the
backbone. Most people realize, if ask
ed, that they have backbone, but
few know the queer things the bacle-
bone can do, 1t is really more clever than
we think Tho first operation is not
urpieasing. 1t is accompanied by gen
tie l,neGding, under which one hears
mysterious sound, that seem as though
they should be familiar but are not.
But when the powerful hands Of the
masseur begin to work the muscles near
the spine iu earnest, unexpected pains