"MASSAGE."

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 191, 12 February 1887, Page 4

"MASSAGE."

In The "Nineteenth Century" Lady John Manners suggests a new, useful} ■ and profitable occupation for women. The suggestion occurs in the following extract from her article on " Massage :"—" Massage and gymnastic exerciseß have more votaries in France than in England. The love of Bport that seems inherent in English people is supposed to have obviated the necessity for a widely-extended system of gymnastics. Now, however, gymnastic exercises and musical drill are being introduced largely, and have been much appreciated, not only by men and boys, but t>y women and girls. The system of manage practised by Dr. Metzger has drawn crowds to Amsterdam, and has afforded relief tv great numbers of sufferers, several reigning sovereigns — among others the Empress of Austria — being among his patients. Dr Hunerfauth carries out the same system at Homberg with equal euccess, and a member of his family devotes much of her time to relieving from charity the sufferings of the peasants It is necessary to beware of masseurs who have no real knowledge of the art, as disastrous results follow from the violent treatment to which ignorant people subject their patients. Dr. Hunerfauth deprecates massage by machinery, as he considers that much delicacy is necessary in treating the complicated nervous system of the human frame. It is curious to find how much benefit many sufferers derive irom a revival of the same remedies practised in bygone ages and in distant climes. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. It has occurred to j me that women might, after being proI perly instructed, find the practice of massage a useful and profitable employment. I believe the usual time employed at one sitting is from twenty minutes to half-an-hour. To relieve, for instance, the oppression produced by irregularity of tho action of the heart, gentle continuous rubbing would be practised for ten minutes from the left to tho right side in a downward direction, then from right to left. The patient should lie on a reclining board, and the masseuse stand so as to be able to rub firmly, though without inflicting the leaet pain. To calm nervous agitation and to induce sleep, it has been" found that rubbing the spin© is an almost certain remedy, and sufferers from neuralgia have often derived groat benefit from massage. Friction with pine-oil is a favourite cure for rheumatic affections in Germany, and also for bronchial and throat complaints. Tho aromatic, astringent fragrance of the oil, which is made from resinous portions of the firtrees, has a salutary effect is pulmonary cafces. I happened lately to read an account of an institute in London whence 1 masseurs ' are sent to private houeeß. I know nothing of tho eyetem carried out there, but I see that four guineas a week is the charge for daily visits at the patient's own house. Such ,an expenao would be out of the question with most people, as a course of massage should be continued for fix weeks or two months. Indeed, there are many invalids of great position and wealth who h'tvo a maeseuse attached to their households. Doubtlees there are numbers of women who w-mld gladly practise this healing art for moderate rernuneiation, and find much happiness in soothing and relieving wearinoss." Anglo-Indians could confiim Lady Manners a« to the large use made of this means of relief by all claste? in India, and in almost every dieeaee, especially in fevers and rheumatic disoidere. The historical c ketch she gives of its use from very early times should help to forward the cauee of | thisrevived remedy.