SKETCH OF CHARLES C. ABBOTT. 547 



from a revival of the same remedies practiced in by-gone ages and in 

 distant climes. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. 



It has occurred to me that women might, after being properly 

 instructed, find the practice of massage a useful and profitable employ- 

 ment. I believe the usual time employed at one sitting is from twenty 

 minutes to half an hour. To relieve, for instance, the oppression pro- 

 duced by irregularity of the action of the heart, gentle continuous 

 rubbing would be practiced for ten minutes from the left to the 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 least pain. To calm 

 nervous agitation and to induce sleep, it has been found that rubbing 

 the spine is an almost certain remedy, and sufferers from neuralgia 

 have often derived great benefit from massage. 



Friction with pine-oil is a favorite cure for rheumatic affections in 

 Germany, and also for bronchial and throat complaints. The aromatic, 

 astringent fragrance of the oil, which is made from resinous portions 

 of the fir-trees, has a salutary effect in pulmonary cases. 



I happened lately to read an account of an institute in London 

 whence " masseurs " are sent to private houses. I know nothing of 

 the system 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 expense would be out of the question for most people, as 

 a course of massage should be continued for six weeks or two months. 

 Indeed, there are many invalids, of great position and wealth, who 

 have a masseuse attached to their households. Doubtless there are 

 numbers of women who would gladly practice this healing art for 

 moderate remuneration, and find much happiness in soothing pain and 

 relieving weariness. — Nineteenth Century. 



SKETCH OF CHARLES C. ABBOTT. 



THE name of Dr. Abbott is familiar to the readers of the " Month- 

 ly " as that of the author of papers showing him to be on the best 

 of terms with Nature, as well as of an archaeologist who finds history 

 where ordinary diggers would find only gravel and river-shells. It is 

 as well known to readers of other periodicals in America and England, 

 who are interested in the moving and the blooming life of the fields 

 and the woods and the rivers. He has been making friends by means 

 of his charming sketches, and the books that have resulted from them, 

 till he now probably numbers all of the English-speaking world, who 

 appreciate rural things, among his constituency. What remained want- 

 ing to fix his fame and make it general was given by his last book, 



