The Van Buren press., 1898-02-19
ACHES CURED sY WATER JETS.
An Invention Which Messages With
ont the Use of Hands.

ACHES CURED 6Y WATER JETS.
An Invention Which Messages With
ont the Use of Hands.
Water massage is the very latest in
vention for relieving pain. Experts say
it is away ahead of massage by hands,
because it is possible to get results from
a Single tank of water that could not
be obtained were half,a dozen strong
men TO labor with all their skill. Hos
PITFALLS are using the system and gym
nasiums and Turkish baths are soon to
take it up.
The tank isn't much to look at--from
the outside. 1t looks not unlike the
thousands of sections of pipe you see
scattered over Fifth avenue as far as the
eve can reach. The Fifth avenue pipes
are larger and more unsightly, but If
their size were reduced and they were
placed on end they would show resem-
blance to the hydraulic tank.
A force pump is operated by steam
engine in the cellar. 1t is this steam
power which stands in the way of the in
PRODUCTION of the system at present into
private homes. On the wall are the APP
planes for filing and emptying the
tank. This work, by the way, can be
done at a minutes notice. There is one
lever which turns on the hot water and
another which controls the supply OF
cold water, and the revolving water in
the tank can thus be fixed at any desired
temperature.
efore the water is turned on you
may look into the tub and see the little
holes or perforations in the sides. These
are not great in diameter, but they form
a powerful combination when they get
down to business. Now the water is
turned on. 1t is regulated at a tenn
perature Of los degrees. You may put
in your hand and feel that it is warm
and pleasant. Up comes the water to
the top of the tub and you think that
it is about to flow over the sides and
onto the floor. But it isn't. 1t stops
where it is. Again you put in your
hand. You have barred your arm to
the shoulder You let your arm sink
into the warm water and with your free
hand you hold in place the cloth which
is to prevent the water from splashing
when the jets begin to give you action.
You do not feel anything. No? And
then you glance at the wall and the
Indicator on it. The hand is quiet and
pointing to zero. Softly however, it
creeps up to the point indicating five
pound pressure. simultaneously you
note that there is a gentle disturbance
in the tank. Something has taken hold
of your hand and Is stroking it tenderly
and gratefully. 1t is not on one side of
your hand and arm. II is on every side
and at the same time. 1t is as if a thou
sand cats were purring contentedly and
licking your arm with their velvety
tongues.
The feeling of contentment increases.
You see by the dial that the pressure
has risen to ten pounds. No woman of
high degree ever applied the rabbits
foot to her delicate cheek with more
deft gentleness than these little water
fairies are exhibiting in their noiseless
massage. The warm water in the tank
is receding constantly and there is
never any overflow. On its backward
journey it passes the arm and rubs gent
" against the flesh, creating a current
which strikes directly across the path
of the jets and slightly defects them.
Then you feel as if the softest handed
maidens in all the world were passing
their smooth fingers back and forth
over your arm and caressing you with
care that was dream producing.
The needle on the Indicator points to
Is and then to 20, and you may send it
up as high as you wish within the limit
of 50 pounds There is no danger that
the powerful Jets will become unman-
ageable. They are under perfect con-
troll. The warm standing water through
the volume of which they are compelled
to force their way before they reach
your arm is the protecting influence
which prevents the Jets from doing you
the injury which they would surely do
you if there was no water blanket in
tervening. If they were left alone they
would attack your hand with ferocty
that would speedily result in a choice
collection of bruises, abrations and pos
sibly breaks.
Surgeons are using the hydraulic mas
sage for the benefit ofpatients who are
troubled with rheumatism, for bruises,
fractures and broken bones.-N. Y.
| Herald.