New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-06
MUSIC AMONG MANAGES.

| EFFECTS OF MELODIES UPON INMATES OF TIE
BLAcKwELEs ISLAND INSANE AsYLUM-BENE-
FICIAL RESULTS IN MANY CASES.
| Much interest is now being shown by the
Commissioners Of Charities and Corrections ana by pby-
scian In experiments to test the influence OF music
the insane In January J. N Patts0n. the pianist,
called on Commissioner Thomas 3 Brennan, ana oncred
to give musical entertainments to the inmates OF the
| lunatc asylums on Wards and Blackwes Islands in
order to study the effects them. His offer was gladly
accepted by the Commissioner. who lent his time and
influence carrying the project Several physicians
accepted invitations to attend the entertainments ana
have taken notes of the experiments thus far the MIN
OF these entertainments given to the female luna
ties on BlacKwers Island yesterday
Commissioner Brennan, Mr. Pattson and Drs ~ A.
Wilson and George NJ. Beard, went to the island about
IL a. m. In company with City Chamberlain Tappan
Judge Flammcr and several other gentlemen who are
sted in the experiments The party proceeded to
Gymnasium Hail. In the OF tho Asylum, where MI
Patison had caused to De placed grand piano. Seyera
of tho most violent inmates OF the asylum were
admitted to tho hall and seated near the In
strument after the physicians present had FELT their
pulses and taken notes of their condition DE- william
W. strew superintendent OF the asylum, gave his assist
ance. and furnished the physicians with Information
concerning the previous condition and causes OF insanity
of the several patients. At first only one patient was
admitted. She was a stout German woman thirty-hve
recurrent mania. When brought near the instru-
ment she raving wildly, and was held oy
physician and attendant nurse Mr. Paitlson began 70
pay light German melody, but she stamped her feet
and oDdeav0rcd TO strike him. pouring out at inc same
time torrent OF abuse In the German tongue. The
pianist drowned her voice by few heavy cords These
were followed by hvely staccato movement whcn
TO quiet At times she listened attenvely. NJ soon
began to talk loudly and angriy AZ every outbreak M
PaitlsOn arrested her tongue with some brhiant or
stormy music, and then changed to quiet airs when she
attentive: When he struck few chords OF lone
Sweet Home" she swayed her body to and no. gaZad up
ward and sighed, while the expression Of her face SOFT
ened perceptby She allowed her attendants AT length
peat about IO4 per minute before sine came 10, had
dropped to eighty ard was much iirmer
Two other German women OF about the same age
suHcrin. chronic mania were brought ill., ana 49,
tened attentively One OF them, sweet-voced, Irlr
haired woman, asked by Commissioning Brennan 10
sing. "YOu must excuse me" she repHed IOI cant
sing without my better baif she mas been an inmate
asylum for several years. ana aDors under the de-
fusion that her husband has been carried y rom ner
aud imprisoned. Being pressed TO slng she threw r.
The other woman accompanied her IN hOase voice.
them and increase the circulation of the pulse. Two
Irish women were then admitted one was insane on
making speech against Protestants She gave her
attention 10 ne Instrument az length anu became less
excitaDe, but irish s set her To dancing about the
room she led out 10y the attendants. The effect
on the other woman was considered by the physician as
had been so violent that her attendants were
Obliged to keep her under constant restraint
WLen asked question she answered only By
unintelliglble words mingled with profanity. she
had in this condition for several months. Her
cye, when was brought into the room, mad fren
ze look, which caused tue spectators to shudder shs
gared about her like wild beast and wrlthed desper
atey in the hands OF her atlebdants "hch Mr. fatt
son began to play she appeared ike one IN trance
For several minutes she sat rgid ana motoniess,
gazing at the instrument diauualy the via look
melted OUT OF her eyes, ana an expression
OF Intelligence stole over her features ne IRISH jIg,
which affected com panlOn untayorably moved her
20 smiles ana lew negro melodies cuaed 1e moisture
TO MS surprise one answered hm swetuy ohe asked or
Home, Sweet Home which was play ed OF her she