This application is much the same in effect as the preceding, though a
little more soothing, and hence better adapted to nervous patients. It
consists in rubbing the body gently with the palm of the dry hand. The
force of the rubbing should be nicely graduated to the condition of the
patient. When employed to excite considerable activity of the skin, the
rubbing may be accompanied with kneading of the abdomen, and light
percussion of the surface.
Gentle rubbing of the skin is a very soothing process. It will
frequently induce sleep when other means are ineffectual. Rubbing the
back and limbs downward, and gentle rubbing of the temples, are very
soothing to children and nervous invalids.