Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-08-24
MUSIC AND MEDICINE.


is certainly as old as the days of the patriarchs,
and the singing of David before Saul was only
practical illustration of theory which had
long obtained recognition in Egypt. 1t is
strange, however, that spite of the general ac-
acknowledgement of its efficacy, music has been
80 seldom employed as an assistant to nldteraa
1nedica. Up to the present time the chief use
made of medical music (if we may coin the ex-
pression) has been among the medicine and
mystery men of savage nations, and in this
case the instruments employed have been rath-
er of a noisy than musical nature. In GER
tain species of st. Vitus' dance and tetanus,
music has been employed with much success
by European physicians. The most celebrated
instance of this kind is the employment OF
lively dance rythms for the cure of the bite Of
a tarantula. A rather full account of such
cure was sent to an Italian medical review in
1S41, in which the symptoms are vividly de-
scribed. Although the patient was previously
unable to stand on his feet, a lively dance tune
caused him to Jump from his bed and dance
for two hours, after which he fell down
in a profuse perspiration, and slept quietly
A few repetitions of the dose caused COM
plete cure. 1t is question whether any
strong sudorifc might not have attained the
same result without the aid of music, but the
fact still remains that music was the only
agency capable of rousing the patient from his
comatose condition. In the Middle Ages there
were MANY cures of St. Vitus' dance accom-
plished by music. Strange to say, this disease
became epidemic during several years in West
ern Europe. The practice of vocal music, un-
der the most careful conditions, is to be re-
commended as cure for consumption and
bronchial affections in their earliest stages.
But here it is not the music but the gentle
and regular exercise of the affected parts which
brings the cure Of the hygienic results or
playing upon certain Instruments, Engel speaks
at considerable length in an article on this
subject. Quoting from Sundelin's work on
the subject, he finds that the piano and string
ed instruments are at times hurtful to the
nervous system, the glass harmonica danger
ously exciting to the nerves, the clarinet, hurt
full to the lungs brass instruments similarly
hurtful but in less degree and the harmoni-
um or cabinet organ harrassing to the nerves
of the performer
Much of this is of course fanciful yet it is
greatly to he desired that medical authorities
should give their attention to studying the et-
fects of the various instruments upon health
more closely
It is notable fact that many excellent mu-
sicians and composers have. become deaf.
How far this is the result Of an extremely sen
sitve ear has not yet been proved. That it
has some connection with the practice OF their
art can scarcely be doubted.
The connection between music and madness
is also we'll established one. This connection
is two fold on the one hand, many compos-
ers have exhibited predisposition toward in
sanity and on the other music has proved of
immense benefit to persons suffering with hyp-
ochondria or melanchola This again is coun-
terbalanced by the fact that in some instances
music has caused melancholy and madness in
auditors. It is said that when the first church
organ was played in Europe during the reign
of Charlemagne) lady who heard it went
raying mad from the unexpected effects OF the
tone. During the first performance of Haydn's
Symphony in D in London, clergyman pres
ent was so touched by the adagio move
|
monomania that it portended his death. lie
left the hall plunged in deepest melancholy,
and as matter of fact, died few days after.
The connection Of music with morals is
strong one and would require volume instead
of an article to do it justice.
We have said that the Egyptians understood
the bond between music and medicine; they
certainly understood the moral side OF the
subject as we'll. They classified music under
two heads. One school of music they held
to be eevating and ennobling, the other de-
grading and sensuous One class they be-
lieved sprang from Ammon Ra, the god of the
sun the other from the evil deities. Pytha-
goras studied music in Egypt, and with his
sect in latter years it played most Important
part. The Pythagoreans played upon klth-
ara on rising from slumber, in order TO flt
them for the tasks of the day. They sang
and PLAYED at evening to Soothe themselves
after the excitements of labor, and to mt their
minds for tranquil sleep. Confucius is said
to have used music in similar manner, play
ing upon the Kin ian instrument with sllken
strings. whenever agitated. The Greek phi
losophers have left many essays upon the art
of music but it must not be forgotten that
these refer to the Mousike, which included
poetrv and other arts Yet their comments
upon the characteristics of the different in
struments read very strangely. Plato and
Aristotle attacked the fute as a sensuous and
immoral instrument. Plutarch, on the con-
trary, defended it, as an instrument winch
spread peace and tranquility throughout the
soul.
The union of music and morals was far
stronger in ancient times than it is to-day.
The first songs Of Scripture seem to have been
devoted to the worship of the Deity, and the
whole music of the Hebrews was devoted to
that purpose. The first songs of China were
simply used as vehicle to convey the princi-
pies of morality and practical life to the peo-
ple The songs OF ancient Rome under the
Republic were devoted to exhorting the young
men to stand true to the pure life and simple
manners of their ancestors. The songs of an
cient Greece were generally laudatory OF virtue
and the manly qualities. In our own day, the
lower element of what the Egyptians classified
as evil music has crept in again but this will
probably correct itself, and the art again take
it's place as of old, the twin sister OF Religion,
Morality and Hygene.-Lo"is Z. Elson' 4"
Musical Herald.
Too TRoo, Too TEoo.-Man that is mar
ried to woman is of many days and full OF
trouble. In the morning he draws his salary,
ond i, tbo avo,,inr hahOld if iS gone It.iS A