Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-08-16
THE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC.
DY DOCTOR wALDTERN PRGG.
(AsSociate and Pupil Of the A66,
LiS=L)

In q previous article in the columns
OF this paper l pointed out that med
ical investigations have frequently di
rected attention to the powerful Influ
ence that music exercises, through the
mind upon the body, by increasing
mental energy, or by depressing the
feelings oven to the point of despond
ency. Music affects the health to ar
amazing and startling extent. Many
instances might be quoted. A gentle.
man / met in st. Petersburg, in.
formed me quite recently that a med.
ical friend of his has been studying the
effects OF musical sounds on the ailino
ones, and has learned that they modify
the circulation of the blood, and the
activity of the heart, in direct ratio
to the pitch and fortisSinlO Of sound
this is technically styled "Tone
Color"
In ancient history, and the sacred
works OF vorious nations one flndi
numbers ofincidents of the influence o,
musical sounds and their incalculnbly
beneficial object upon sick people
There is record of songs devoted il
ancient Egypt to the promotion OF vir,
tue and morality in the education o,
youth. These records attribute the
barbarism OF Cynoetho to the gross ne.
glect OF Music, and the refinement and
purity Of tho manners and customs o.
the Arcadisns to n natural love anG
reverence for tho divine nrt. From the
Hebrew Scriptures We learn that {
cnro WAS sought for the arrangement
OF Saul in the harp playing of David.
Pythagoras, highly commended music
IN tho treatment of the insane, nnc
Thales found III music his most power
ful and oifcctual means of com batting s
postllonco which once ravaged Sparta
&enocrates soothed insane people by
musical sounds, and Theophrastus dc
clarcd, and held, that even the ven
omous bites of rcptilos were rendered
less mischievous by subjecting the VIC
tins to the influence of melody. When
physicians in the dark ages thought
they recognized evil spirits as the
cause of disease, Music was declared
to be the curative; and again Luther
expressed the same belief; or, rather,
had strong faith when he wrote thai
''Musio IS one OF the most beautiful
and glorious gifts of God, to which
Satan is q bitter and implacable foe.
One of the Kings of Spain was at one
time in such a weak and NOR bid condi-
ton Of health that his devoted consort
almost despaired of seeing his Majesty
in sound health again. In fact, he wal
SO Respondent that he completely
neglected his person, and refused tc
see or be seen by his courtiers anc
loyal subjects, and great grief and con
sternation prevailed over all the nation.
In the midst of their dismay a happy
thought passed thorugh the mind, de
voted and faithful, of tho Kings beau
tiful consort. Farinelli was then g
most famous singer, and him she com.
manded to appear at the Palace, anC
also several other artists, together with
the private orchestra which only per.
formed In the Palace, but which now
had been long inactive, owing to the
mental alienation Of the King.
The Queen desired FarinellI to sing
and the other artists to perform, which
they did, alternately of course-the
performance taking place In a large
chamber adjoining The suite occupied
by the King. The effect was almost
magical. His Majesty remained quiet,
listening, for two or three hours, and
at last, during an interval Of the per
formance, sent an attendant command.
iny the presence of the artists who hao
taken part. When they appeared be.
fore him, he bade them to ask him fol-
any favor in reason and he would grant
1t. Fariuelli simply besought the King
to permit his attendants to dress an6
shave him. After this was done the
royal evidently felt better, and ther
Farlnelli implored his Majesty to allow
his loyal subjects to see him out in the |
great gardens daily. The favor was
granted, and from that day
dated the rapid convalescence of KING |
Philip of Spaia.