136 THE STOCK owner's ADVISEE. 



that has been moved onward. Otlicr blood flows into the parts, 

 and thus active and healthy circulation is induced, and nutritive 

 material, capable of affording vital support, is also brought to 

 refresh the local part. The movements of massage may be ar- 

 ranged in three groups — first, stroking; second, kneading; third, 

 percussion. In properly performed general massage, all these 

 movements are practiced at a single seance in the order in which 

 they have been named. The stroking movement should always 

 precede the others, and be directed from the feet to the body. 

 In making the strokes, both hands should be employed. The limb 

 is grasj)ed with one hand just above the other in such a way that 

 pressure is exerted to some extent by the whole palm, but espe- 

 cially by the ball of the thumb and the minor surface of the last 

 two phalanges of the fingers. The hands are moved alternately, 

 the second hand taking up the motion of the first hand where it 

 has ceased, and while the movement is being executed by the 

 second hand, the first hand returning to its original position. 

 The strokes in the horse must be made with vigor and firmness, 

 and with great regularity. 



In kneading, the endeavor of the operator is to pick up the 

 individual muscles or muscle groups between the fingers of the 

 two hands, or in some cases between the thumb and finger of one 

 hand, and then to roll or squeeze the muscle with a double move- 

 ment. The series of pinchings is carried from the insertion of 

 the muscle towards its origin. The second hand should follow 

 rapidly uj)on the first in duplicating the stroke. For an exam- 

 ple, the operator should start on the limbs at the feet and carry 

 his series of pinchings to the body. 



Percussion is made either with the points of the finger brought 

 into a line with one another, or wdth the side of the hand and 

 fingers; the fingers should be so held as to have looseness and 

 elasticity. The blows should be at right angles to the fibers of 

 the muscles, and the whole series of blows carried from the in- 

 sertion towards the origin of the muscle. During prolonged 

 muscular inaction, whether from indolence, disease, or other 



