The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-17
WORK FOR THE BLIND.
In Japan Many SiehtIess Persons Are
Massage Operators.
London Mail.

London Mail.
Among the many things-phiIosophical,
scientific and social-for which Western
civilization is indebted to the Far East,
few are more characteristic of the Orient,
especially OF Japan, and at the same time
easily capable of worldwide utility, than
massage.
How long the practice Of massaging the
BODY has been customary in Japan is. Of
course, difficult to ascertain, but there is
every reason to suppose that il first origin
ated in that country, and so much is certain
that nowhere else is il so generally recoc-
n1Zed as an easy means of alternating phys
zeal exhaustion, discomfort. or pain.
A matter which frequently arouses the
comment of strangers visiting the England
of the East is that those who are profes-
sionally engaged in this practice have lost
or never possessed the sense OF sight. 1t
is quite a familiar sight not only in cities,
but also in villages. TO see a blind masseur
walking about and calling out that ne is
ready TO perform massage, and a little in
quiry by the interested foreigner will elicit
the fact that the blind enjoy practically a
monopoly of the bygienic and remedial in
dustry, a privilege which, it would appear,
was granted to them by a former Emperor
several centuries ago. This custom is in
itself sufficient TO show that the masseurs
are employed by all classes The wealthy
regularly submit themselves to the opera
ton after their daily bath. and many of the
working people. their days labor COM
pleted, have the soreness taken from their
limbs in this manner. The cost is but a
L nv g. may NC JNASta NAAE 1T ina
the European or American who pays the
equivalent Of sixpence Is thought 10 be
very generous indeed. II was from Japan
that massage found its way to Russia,
where at first. among the better classes,
IL found much favor. And here also the
blind-and they are very numerous indeed
In Russia-have been specially selected for
the work. not merely in order TO find them
an occupation by which they can earn a
livelihood, but also because they are pecu-
liarly proficient. In the Institute for the
Blind in st. Petersburg A considerable num-
Der of the inmates are carefully instructed
in the best methods OF performing massage.
and hey are also given an elementary. but
very serviceable, knowledge of some of the
main points of anatomy and physiology. On
the whole. these experiments have worked
we'll in Russia, but such can scarcely be
said to be the case in Germany.
Various attempts have been made in
that country 10 employ the blind in COM
paratively large numbers as Inasseurs and
masseuses. but the public has hitherto not
shown much liking for the innovation. and
consequently il has not proved TO be a
success. 1t is, however. pleasing TO learn
that there is every likelihood of a change
for the better In the near future. for a
new movement supported by a great num-
Der of very influential men has been taken
up. and so far as the present arrangements
for the promotion of this plan are con-
cerned they seem to be highly satisfactory
I'm every respect In connection with this
statement 1t is interesting TO note that
a Leipzig physician has recently published