WHAT IS MASSAGE?

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10413, 10 April 1897, Page 6

WHAT IS MASSAGE?

This question has been very frequently asked since the re-introduction into Europe, within recent years, of this famous remedy. It is seldom satisfactorily answered, even from a technical point of view; and the beneficial results which almost invariably flow from its judicious employment, are less capable of being explained than appreciated and under, stood by those who have been indebted to it for the renovation of health and the restitution of impaired energy. The history «f Massage is an ancientone. The value of tfie treatment wes recognised, and the process to a consumable extent practised, in Asiatic countries probably thousands of. years ago. The success, however, of the remedy as employed to-day is greatly due to modern knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, which aids vastly in the rational application of this favourite mode of treating many complaints. The term, according to Lavery. is derived from the Arabic word " Mass," meaning to press softly. In practice much depends on the manner in which the various processes are carried out, and con. siJerable skill is necessary on the i>art of the professional " Masieur." Massage is not for a moment to be confunded with '• Medical Bnbbing," which Li merely friction indiscriminately applied. The former, indeed, lias exactly the same relation to the latter as a piece of music, carefully and skilfully executed on the piano, has to the sound produced by thumping the keys at random, the art is difficult to acquire, the peculiar delicacy and yet firmness of touch necessary for the best work is a natural gift, lUc« music, or painting, and siren oolitotbefcw.

It is a common error to suppose thattMjfiZr I? medical treatment is suited solely for SMci " % plaints, .is it is frequently invaluible where 1 "• fl developed or definite form of disease exist? i cases where the constitution has run d " B - « \ vital functions as well a, mental energy , ""> I ebb. the proce«, if sufficient* lo™'* 1 " , « i almost invariably resuUs in restoraCft I 1 rhan lassitude, weiring, disinclination [ 0 , 11 ! or thought, depression, and other effect, J° " ! quent upon living in defiance of the lairs of J?* , '< give place to activity, and »££& i 'upauddoii.g." Theeffcetisequivalent I of taking exercise-the old muscle fa mAW? W ~ ft om the condition u({Be W en which - often consequent upon disease, anil when phjsiS t ls exertion and recreation are yet impossible the siih! m ject rises from the hands of the " Masseur" a ne. 1 being, having «bt lined exercise without «»,.;„ and streegth without effort. "' ; |*f The age is rapidly pawing away in which dranll are relied upon as curatire agents when nature hi & been abused ami suffering incurred from livin. t H artificially. 5 "* sp> It is now a well-known fact that in Europe and 8 America Massage las become one of the & valuable aids to the Medical Profession. Am™, W the most modem Therapeutics Massage is O j l| doubtedly the most favoured by both doctors uj H patients. As allowing the appreciation of mwsa M % wo might quote from the Australasian, No Tel - Bill. ISS9:-"Her Majesty the Queen is abort 4 undergo Massage treatment for her lumlia at :l sciatica, which originate.l in a chill caught lJ -' Juno when sitting about in the Balmoral Garden." Its practice, bcL-uii with kings and emperors, i, gradually finding iw -viv downwards through. u» lower strati of society. A. with parsons so with places. Recently iuuo.luc.id in VUnm, ami other seats of medical ie irniiw. it lias extended to olli ■ parts of Europ.% ami also to America, where itfc largely practiced and highly appreciated, In x ew Zealand, however, it is not known as it should be ' Its utility and value as a curative and restoratit' agent might be vastly extended, and many benefit from it who are not familiar with it nor even cognisant of i;s existence. Mr. U. Roth, *h« w.n perhaps the first llssi Mt to come to New Zealand, Ins done a lot of good b, introducing it 14 the il.itbs at Rotorua, also i Auckland, he has treated with con-iderabl'e ucea , many of our prominent citizens. Mr. Kotb, who Ins made Massage his profession started to study in Germany when only IS yeat ,J age, conseiuently has had a life-lons experience in Germany, America, lingland, and Scotland, also in ' the Colonies ; he has been attending Hospitals in addition to private practice, and has had opporroni. ties of working with the best Surgeons anil fuj cians of the world. The following are a tew of the many letters Mr Roth has received from Medical men and grateful patients; numbers of others may be seen at Mr Roth's Consulting Rooms :— University of Glasgow, July, i^i Mr. Roth was known to me during his lesiaenc in Glasgow from hU having treated various patient of mine both in private practice and in my ClinlH Ward* in the hospital. From what I .«> of £ work. I am satisfied ilia' he thoroughly mtderstanj Ms Profession, and is an admirable Masseur I haie much pleasure in rs omuumding Mr. Hot!ia bring, so far as I have been able to judge, an tffi cient and reliable operator ■Siened) Gko. JICLtOD. Knight, M.1)., L1..D., Regius Professor o Surgery University of Glasgow, and surgeoi in ordinary to the Queen, in Scotland. 10, Woodside Crescent, Glasgow Sir George McLeod congratulates Mr. Both'in his treatment of Mrs. Cairns, who. he is glad to see received benefit from a remedy she was very unwilling to begin. ' The University of Melbourne, Dec. 2Stli, ISB. I can recommend IJerr Hoth with confluence a an accomplished "Masseur," who his given me great satisfaction, Herr Both is both intelligent and gentle in hi treatment of patients, and 1 htartly wish hill success. (Signed) A xtiiony Colling Browsless K.C.M.G., K.C.P., M.D., 1.L.D., F.E.C.S. Kngland ; Senior Consulting Physician to Si! Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne; and Chancelloi of the University of Melbourne. Melbourne Uospit.il, Sept. 21st, 1892. A On several occa-ious when Mr. Herman Roll treated patients of this institution suffering Iron various complaints at the request of some of cm ■ honoraiy staff. I hail thu opportunity of obseniD! his practice, and with pleasure can testify to hu skill and to tho satisfaction he gave to all concerned. A. H. Jloiloy, M.8., Resident Surgeon. Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, July 27,1892. ' J. McG. was admitted into ward twenty-five on v October 9th, IS9I. suffering from a smashed foot, ■$. with extensive cellulitis, which involved the whole , of the affected limit, leaving it eventually completely ricid at the hip, knee, an.l ankle; therewas considerable atrophy of the inusculai tissue, and great pain was complained of any attempt al movement being made. Massage was ordered ™ May 2Uh, which was duly carried out by Mr. Herman Roth, with most satisfactory results, the pain and tenderness having in a great measure disappeared, and there being considerable mobility of the affected joints, with much improvement in the general condition of the patient. When this course of treatment was commenced the patient could hardly bear the bed being toucW without crying out, and now after six wetU massage he can get out of bed without assistance.' SYDNEY A. Thompson, House Surgeon. 5, Woodside Crescent, Glasgow, 15th July, ISM It gives me pleasure to state that Mr: Herman! Roth attended me about eighteen months ago, foi a very bad attack of chronic rheumatism, involving the lower extremities. On that occasion and subsequently while Attending some of my patients. I had ample opportunity of forming an uninion as to Mr. Roth's ability as a masseur, and I can, with confidence, recommend linn where scientific massage, combined with electric treatment, is required. (Signed) James A. Adams, M.D., Assistant Surgeon, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. Willis-street, Wellington, October 2nd, 1594. After a considerable experience of Mr. H. Both ■ as a masseur I have much pleasure in testifying U his skill and special qualifications in this branch of the boiling art. Mis long experience, t-clmicsl knowledge, and skill in manipulations entitle) bin to the confidence of those he may be called upon U treat. W. A. Cim-PLE, M.B, Ch. B. Mr. Hermann Rnth treated a patient of mine, who was suffering fnmi severe lumbago with Ma* sage. The p»lient derived raDid and permanent . benefit from the treitinent. [ believe Mr. Roth to be a well-trained, skilful, and efficient masseur. William E. Collins, M.8., Lond., 31.R.C.5, Eng, Hon. Surgeon Wellington Hospital, X,Z.' '■ Victoria-street, Auckland. Dear Sin— I fe-1 that I must offer you my deep gratitude and very best thanks for the skilful way you , have treated my foot and lug. For over ten year, past I have suffered great pain, the result if a severe accident on board the Devonport ferry boat, anil have spent a large sum of money on doctors, without rec-iving any benefit. Of late, however, it had become so bud that I had to call in Dr. Roberts, of Devonport, who attended to me with . great care, until I was able to get about on crutches, when he unselfishly advised me to put myself under your treatment, with the gratifying result (if being able to walk even without the slightest limp.—l am. dear sir, yours faithfully, J. H. Hassan, J.P.

H.M.S. Katoomba,-Dear Mr Roth.-I cons id« ray quick recovery from a perfect stiff knee was largely due to your Mas«ase treatment. IWayl walked easily atom four miles over the hills ol Auckland. — Ynuri truly, It. JIERYOX, Captain Auckland, April i law. 11. Uoth, Esq.— ten months ago 1 w:is trea;ed for an attack 0! Sciatica. I was unable to walk or fit. I could not do anything involving the least strain upon m 5 hack or Kg without suffering great pain. Consequently, I was unable to attend to my duties. 1 consulted the late Dr. lAwry, and he advised me t< put raj-self under your treatment. After about U applications the Sciatica had quite left. Since the! I have felt nothing of tho complaint.— am, sir yours faithfully, W. S. Bowie, Wesleyiu Minister Kheimiatiiro, Gout, Lumbago, Sciatica, are pet haps among the diseases most amenable to this treatment. Paralysis, both adult and infantile, can not be treated with success whatever by any other means. In cases of Hysteria, General Nervousness, Spinal Diseases, Nervous Exhaustion, immediate reliel can be given, anil by a course of treatment absolute cure must be the result. Tic Douloureux, Locouiotoro-Ataxy, can be con. iderably relieved. Neuralgia and Chronic Headaches can be cared by a few treatments. (Edema, Ovarian disorders, Atrophy, Disorders of the Glands, Chronic Constipation, Dyspepsia Flatulence, Sluggish Liver, certain affections of the Ear, want of Circulation, stones in the Bladder, Corpulency, Sprains of the Ankles or Knee, Housemaids' Knee, Anesthesia, Change of Life, Inter, costal Neuralgia, Melancholia - in short, all Muscular, Nervous, ami Joint disease*. All these Chronic complaints can be treated and cured by Mr. Both'J methods, he having long experience with the abovenamed diseases. Massage not only treats the effect, but remotes the cause. Face-Massage as an aid to Beauty has long been used by the fair sex. Centuries ago Greek and Roman women were taught the hygienic method to keep their beauty fresh, and in our own day the accomplished Masseur is thus helping, as he alone can, the fair ones of the world, from the Princess of Wales downwards. Massage has practically done away with the use of those objectionable cosmetics so ranch in rogue not so long ago. It is the Masseur who takes years off a woman's faw and make! her young again, who smooths away the wrinkled from the brows of maid, wife, and mother, and who restores t> the muscles of the face and neck the youthful appearance robbed from them by time, worry, or inattention. . Superfluous Hair and Moles destroyed by ►!«* trolysis, the only remedy, as it absolutely destroy* the follicle of the Hair and root of the Mole. ME. ROTH can now devote attention to patients who require treatment at their own residence, as hi has assistants, also made considerable enlargement! at his office. Fees from 'l* 6d up to 7s 6d per treatment ; especial rates foi a course of Massage. MR. ROTH can be consulted at 309, Victor* Arcade (take lift), between lu and 1 o'clock and 2.30 to 4 p.m.' Intending patients should apply at once, as tin reduction of fees is bringing many new clients.