Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-09-14
HEALTH AND BEAUTY.
MASSAGE.


the cultivation of health and beauty
is comparatively modern practice
with us In ancient India, Egypt,
Greece, and Rome, however, massage
was as common, and considered as es-
sentIal to the preservation of health
and beauty, as the bath itself-if not
more so.
The word massage is derived from
Greek mGsSo Il knead). In fact, the
operator 1neddS on all the muscles of
the body, to restore their vitality, as
he rubs, bends, and stretches out the
joints to render them more supple.
( To be perfect, massage should be
followed by a slight fsgellation pref
erably with the Etrch). Boys will bet
ter understand the Excitement of this
part of massage tran ladies, and there
fore L advise the latter to try the e1-
pertinent with their own hands, rather
than submit to the tender, or unten-
der mercies of an attendant.
Massage being now the fashion, Q
shower of massage" literature is
poured down upon US, though not one
half of it can be understood by the
ordinary reader. The only really COM
prehensive treatise on the subject that
| could recommend would be DIR. Mo-
mods, who is a pleasant causeur as
well as a mau of science. In his hands
science may be understood by babes in
learning. L regret that l have not his
work at hand to quote from.
As any doctor, however, I, will tell you,
DlasSeur (rubber) should be strong,
patient, and dextrous; his hands
should be soft, supple, and powerful.
He should also know the physiology of
each manipulation in order to be cap
able of choosing that particular manip-
ulation required to attain the aim
sought He should know anatomy,
and the exact passage of the nerves
with the place of every muscle and ten
don, together with the functions which
they are required to fulfil.
A knowledge of angiology is likewise
indispensable to massage, as also
complete knowledge of the articuls-
tions, in order to follow the progress
of the treatment and modify it, or sus-
pend it, as required; this scientific
massage, however, belongs more to
surgery than to the after bath massage
prescribed for daily use, as a preserva-
tive of health and beauty.
The advantage of the daily after bath
massage is that it cleanses the skin
from all impurities better than any
other means. 1t also excites the SKINS
tonic faculties, and dissipates muscula-
stiffness, whatever be its cause, bodily
or mentally. Muscular stiffness en-
genders feeling of WEAKNESS, which
sleep and rest cannot always relieve.
But massage excites and animates the
circulation OF the blood and restores
equilibrium to the system. 1t relieves
the weary in mind and body, and in
duces sleep at the same time. 1t whips
the sluggard and rests the weary.
This seems a contradiction, but it is
not. Tired limbs and a weary mind
are restored to vigor by friction and
pressure. Oriental massage if e1-
ecuted by an experienced operator,
begins by gently rubbing and scratch
ing the fingers, occasionally making
them crack, when the rubbing grows
stronger. Then the arms, body, and
legs are treated in the same way, the
operator leaning sometimes the whole
weight of his ody on his patient, but
this without undue jostling or pres
sure. His hands hold fast on you,
but never pinch you. You only feel
the palms of his hands ON you. 1t is as
! if huge cat were making bread" as
the saying is, on you.
This is the massage which restores q
weary mind and body to renewed vigor
the "bLUeS' are impossible after such
massagel
1t is very rare, however, that such
massage is possible with us, and we
mu, substitute another kind of exercise
to it, after our ordinary bath, such as
frictions with a rough towel, or horse
hair glove, or brush, with 1Uhippin3s
all over the body, or 6edtingS with the
bare hands. This exercise, after
bath, will have almost as good an effect
on the skin and muscles as Oriental
massage, and it his this advantage,
that 1t needs no intermediary. The
rubbing and tapping, however, must be
done vlgo ously and in earnest. Then,
they will give strength and health to
the frame and body. and this means
also beauty.
After having rubbed, brushed, and
beaten the body and limbs for several
minutes with a dry towel or brush,
| yOu may recommence the operation
with q piece OF flannel or a brush,
/ dipped IN aromatic vinegar or eau-de-
Cologne or Hungary water or even a
weak solution of ammonia and camphor.
This will not only give an additional
| tonic to the body, but will prove an
| aatidote against fevers, influenza, aud
other diseases of the catching order.
Returning to massage, here are a few
hints, which may be of use to those
who cannot secure the aid of a profess
SiOndL rubber