A SYSTEM OF AUTOMASSAGE (Contd.)

By S. D. S. GREVAL

166, Lower Circular Road, Calcutta-14

For the Scrotum

The sagging of the scrotum is seen associated

with the sinking of the entire area between the

penis and the anus, with age : Hence the

attention to the scrotum and its contents.

(1) Left side and contents (See Diagram XIX)

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Dec., 1954] A SYSTEM OF AUTOMASSAGE : GREVAL 729

Support the scrotum (from below) with the

fingers, put together, of the left hand, and go over the contents of the left side with the

thumb and- fingers, in a rotary motion, as in

rolling a pill between the fingers and the thumb, in a clock-wise and then in a counter clock-wise

direction, 7 times. The pressure should not

hurt. It is wise to regulate the movements, over several days, as in the case of the eyes.

(2) Right side and contents

(see Diagram, XX)

Change hands and the side

(3) Entire scrotum and contents

(See Diagram, XXI)

With fingers put together of the left hand support the scortum and opposing the thumb to the fingers perform the same rotary movement, clock-wise and then counter clock-wise, over

the entire contents, 7 times.

Change the hand for the same movements from the right side.

. For females. Support the vulva and perform the same rotary movement, round it as round the entire scrotum.

Special treatment before or after the bath :

For any irregularities felt on either side, tie up the side of the scrotum with a narrow

rubber tube for 1,2,3,4,.... 10 minutes (depend- ing upon tolerance of discomfort) and repeat the rotary movements. Watch progress, lest ap- propriate medical treatment of a disease should be neglected.

For the Abdomen (Belly) 1st. Movement (See Diagram XXII)

Put spread out hands to cover the palpable ribs at the lower and outer part of the thorax

(chest) and move them down towards the lower and inner part of the abdomen, falling short of the middle line by about H inch on either side, and back again, 7 times. By slightly changing the area covered by each movement the entire surface of the abdomen can be rubbed at least

twice in the 7 movements. The muscles are

held in contraction so that the internal organs

may not be affected.

The general direction followed by the hands is the same as going into trousers pockets.

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730 THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE [Dec., 1954

As the muscles forming the wall of the

abdomen are arranged in layers, these move-

ments are designed to follow the course of their

fibres (seen in the Diagrams). The pressure exerted in the rubbing is graded to in accord-

ence with the depth of the layers.

According to the orthodox system a muscle

must be massaged when it is relaxed, not con- tracted. This cannot be done in auto-massage. It should not be done on the abdomen lest the

rhythm of the stomach and the intestines is up- set. In fact, there is no reason why the ortho-

doxy should be respected at -all. When, how- ever, a second person carries out the massage relaxations of the muscles is more convenient

for the person under massage. But the abdo-

menal muscles must be contracted for protecting the stomach and the intestine even then.

2nd. Movement (See Diagram XXIII)

Put spread out hands at the lower and outer part of the abdomen (the lower portion of the 1st. movement) and move them upwards, to-

wards the lower and inner part of the chest,

falling short of the middle line by about 1-1- inch on either side, and back again, 7 times, with a little more pressure than in the 1st.

movement.

The general direction followed by the hands

is at right angles to the ls? movement.

3rd Movement (See Diagram XXIV)

Put the spread out hands at the sides of the abdomen and move them towards the middle

line in front, falling short of the exact middle

by about lj inch on either side, 7 times, with a little more pressure than in the 2nd movement.

The general direction followed by the hands

is horizontal.

I

4th Movement (See Diagram XXV) Put the tips of the fingers of both hands, at

the lower ends of the breast bone to cover about 3 inches in the middle line (the space left in the

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Dec, 1954] A SYSTEM OF AUTOMASSAGE : GREVAL 731

previous movements) and move them down-

wards till they meet the bone at the lower part of the abdomen, and back again, 7 times. This movement massages the muscles left unmassag- ed in the previous 3 movements. (At the top and bottom of the middle line the area covered

should be a little less than 3 inches).

. 5th Movement (See Diagram XXVI,R).

Pass the fingers of the right hand into the

gaps between those of the left hand, bringing the palms together to provide one long surface. With these palmer surfaces go over the lower

ribs of the right side in a circle, clock-wise and the counter clock-wise 7 times. The movement

massages : (i) the liver, (ii) the lowest portion of the right lower lobe of the lung which is like-

ly to be expanded defectively in obese persons, and (iii) the gall bladder. It will be observed

that a part of the area massaged (with the

internal organ connected with it) covers the

thorax (chest, not belly only).

6th Movement (See Diagram XXVI, L). (5th & 6th Movements all shown in the

same Diagram). With the same palmer surface go over the

corresponding area on the left in the same way. The movement massages (i) the spleen, (ii) the stomach (iii) a part of the heart and the sac

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732 THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE [Dec., 1954

containing the heart and (iv) a part of the large intestine. In the movement a part of the area

massaged covers the chest also, as in the pre-

vious movement.

7th Movement (See Diagram XXVI, XXVII).

With the same palmer surfaces cover the

entire front of the belly from side to side, moving the trunk to meet the on-coming hands, 7 times. The rubbing in this movement should be rather light.

8th Movement (See Diagram XXVIII, R).

With the left palm go over the most promin- ent ends of the ribs on the right side, clock-wise and then counter clock-wise 7 times. The move-

ment massages the gallbladder specially.

9th Movement (See Diagram XXVIII, L).

(8th & 9th Movements all shown in the same

Diagram).

With the right palm go over an area of the

centre of which is the heart beat, clock-wise and

the counter clock-wise, 7 times. This movement

massages the heart and again covers an organ in the chest.

10th Movement (See Diagram XXIX, R and L)

With the fingers, put together, of the right

hand go over the abdomen, immediately over

the right groin, clock-wise and then counter

clock-wise, 7 times.

Repeat the movement on the left side with

the ,left hand.

11th Movement (See Diagram XXX).

Put the palm of the right hand opposite the

corner of the right hip bone, on the abdomen

and proceed upwards towards the chest with a

jerky motion (as if compressing a hosepipe to

move its contents forwards); then change the

direction and move across towards the left;

reaching the middle of the path change hands

and follow a corresponding course on the left

side towards the corner of the left hip bone.

(Continued on pp. 735).

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Dec., 1954] A SYSTEM OF AUTOMASSAGE : GREVAL 735

Continued from page 732

Perform three such movements.

(Ihese movements tend to move the contents ol the large intestine. Passage of wind and stool may occur.)

J2tli movement

If the abdomen is pendulous and has a trans- verse groove under it, raise it with the left hand and pat across the grove and the area above it

with the right hand, 7 times.

Repeat the patting changing hand

13th movement

This movement though given here is carried

out at the end of the bath when the body has been dried with a towel. Its purpose is to

shake rapidly the fat-bearing skin of the ab-

domen in 3 places, equal distance apart : (a) below the navel, (b) at the navel and (c) above the navel.

Proceed as follows :?

(1) Put finger-tips on both sides well below the navel and move the skin up-and- down rapidly, so as to produce a con-

tinuous quiver all over the skin of the

abdomen, 7 times.

(2) Repeat at the level of the navel.

(3) Repeat above the navel.

(4) Put the shaken areas firmly, 7 times.

Jill/

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