The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-27
MUSIC CURES BODILY ILLS.
Interesting Experiments with tho
Violin and sciutic Neuralgia.


From European Edition New York Herald
1 have just read in recent number OF
the Gazette Medicale de PARIS a very Gu
rious case that seems TO me well worth re-
peating; ii is that of patient who suffered
dtroclousiy from STACKS 81 Sclatlc hSu-
ralgia, which he succeeded in quoting by
playing the violin. We are Just commenc-
ing to have d few scattered ideas concern
ing the effect of music and without wish
ing to lay more stress than is suitable on
the strange connection II seems to have
with the falling out OF the halr-basod. it
must be admitted, on on few statts-
tics-an effect varying as my readers may
remember, with the instrument usually
piayed-it Is now generaIy admitted that
music has on the nervous system a seda-
tive acton that often very marked.
We have ali read in the bibe that Da-
vids harp was specific for driving away
Tarchanow had shown that music rs able
to put our entire sensitivo-motor system
in harmony ii l can use such an express
sion. AT the present time the quoting ef-
feet OF music - universally admitted. and
numerous clinical experiments have shown
its special efficacy i'm cerCaln forms of in
somnia. 1t is also said to sootAe pain.
Whether in this case 1T acts as an anaes-
thetic, according to the. opinion of some,
or simply by making us forget our pain, as
Is believed by others. the point is not yet
fects of music have been scientifically
studied, and my readers may remember
that several months ago | mentioned some
particularly interesting experiments, due
to MIR. Warthin, of Michigan. concerning
the different effect exerted on the nervous
system by different pieces of music. With
out going into the details of these expert
ments | will merely say that the most evil
dent result of Wagners music was its
scientific terms Mr.. Warthin's conclusion
was that the music of the Valkyrie' in
duced perspiration. while that of Tam
haeuser'' brought on sleep.
This physiological study can DC carried
further still, and after having ascertatned
the effect of entire orchestra. it is in
teresting to see what may he the action
of the separate instruments OF which it is
composed.
Az regards the violin. we have already
one case: due to M. Coriveaud of Paris.
One of his patients who was subject to
frequent attacks of sciatica~ which he re-
lieved only with great difficulty by the use
of morphine, happened one day. when the
attack was not vio.ent enough for an in
lection. although Il was sufficiently painful
to prevent his working or walking, to take
up his violin TO divert his attention. He
Had no sooner played few notes than the
pain in his leg disappeared. reappearing
soon as he laid the instrument down.
so much SO that he kept on playing all the
afternoon and was cured by evening. Two
waiting until it had well started he took
his violin and again made the pain disap-
pear. 1t should be noted however. that in
this instance he had 10 use morphine dur
ing the night This effect of the violin
was constant for "A long time, but unfor-
tunately it only lasted while the patient
kept on playing.
In explaining such result the patient
himself remarks that any suggestive
quiet his pain it is not at all necessary
that he should be under the charm of some
melody he may prefer, carried away by
the execution of "a difficult piece. Provided
his chin is on the instrument. and that he
draws some sounds from it with his bow
the pain, however violent it may be- dis
appears almost inStantaneously and does
not reappear until few seconds or min
utes after he has stopped playing. NJ.
Corlveaud is of the same opinion and be-
heves that the effect is due 20 mechanical
vibration. which modifies the dynamisrn of
the sclatic nerve, as the case with the
vlbfatory treatment proposed by Cnarcot a
few years ago.
Whatever may be the value of this ex-
PLANTATION, this clinical case deserves re-
membering, and since. according to the pa
tent himself. it is not necessary to be a
Virtuoso but merely to produce sounds with
the bow, 1T is very much to be hoped that
the treatment that succeeded with NJ
Coriveauds patient may be found equally
serViceable by other patients suffering from
rebellious sciatica.