The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1898-04-16

~~gUGSH~TeJ 81 S4tuSI LII Id1S1uSs lAS
H. cCMSEW energies of the
AJIV.' mind or producing
N=:1~) dependency and
melancholy associa
tlons OF Ideas, says the Fireside.#
impressed with it's sublime nature the
anclents gave it divine origin. Diod-5
orus tells us that it was a boon be-
slowed on mankind after the deluge
and owed its discovery to. the sound
produced by the wind when whistling
through the reeds that grew on the.
banks OF the Nile This science be-
came the early study of PHILOSOPHERS
and physicians. Herophilus explained
the alterations of the pulse by the var
lous modes, and rhythms of music. In
the sacred writings we have many in
stances of it's influence. The derange-
ment of Saul yielded to the harp of
David and the hand Of the Lord came
upon Elisha as the minstrel played. In
Egypt certain songs were legally or
dalned in the education of youth to
promote Virtue and morality.
Polyblus assures us that music was
required to soften the manners of the
Arcad1ans, whose climate was heavy
and impure; while the inhabitants of
Cynaethe, who neglected this science,
we're the most barbarous in Greece,
Inc medical power of harmonious
sounds was also fully admitted. We
find Pythagoras directing certain men
tai disorders to be treated by music.
Thales was said to have even cured
disastrous pestilence by it's means.
Martlnus Capella afirms that fevers
were thus removed. Xenocrates was
credited with curing maniacs by melo-
dlous sounds, and Asclepiades deafness
With 9 strump pet. In mod derns times it,
mas been related Of a deaf lady that
She could only hear while drum was
beating, and "a drummer was kept in
her house for the purpose of enabling
ner TO converse. Aulus Gellius tells
US that a case of sciatica was cured bv
gentle modulations, and Theophrastus
maintains that the bites of serpents
and other venomous reptiles can be re-
lleved by similar means. Ancient
physicians, who attributed many dis
eases to the influence of evil spirits
tanc1ed that harmonious sounds drove
them away, more especially when ac-
companled by incantations; and we find
in Luther "that music is one of the
most beautiful and glorious gifts of
COD, to which Satan is bitter enemy.''
IN more modern times we have several
instances of the medical powers of
music. The effect produced by Far
inelli on Philip of Spain is we'll known
This monarch was in such deplorable
state of dependency from ill-health
that ne refused to be shaved or to ap-
pear in public. On the arrival of Far
lnell1 the queen was resolved to trv
the power of music, and a concert was
ordered In room adjoining. the kings
chamber. Farinelli sung two of his
best airs, which so overcame Philip
that he desired he might be brought in
10 MS presence, when he promised to
grant him any reasonable request he
mlgat make. The performer. in the
most respectful manner, then begged
the king to allow himself to be shaved
and attended by his domestics. to
which Philip consented Farinell con-
l1nued to sing to him daily until a per-
feet cure was effected. The story of
Tartini is rather curious; In a moment
OF musical enthusiasm he fell asleep.
when the devil was said to have ap-
peared to him playing on the violin,
bidding him with horrible grin to
play as we'll as he did. Struck with
the vision, the musician awoke, ran to
his harpsichord and, produced a splen-
did sonata. Bruckman and Hufeland
relate cases of St. Vitus' dance cured
by music, which, according to Deses-
sarts, also was reported to have reliev-
ed catalepsy. Schneider and Becker
have ascertained it's influence in hys-
terra and hypochrondriac affections. A
singular effect of music is related by
Roger in the case of poor wretch
broken upon the wheel. In his agon-
les he screamed in the most fearful
manner. Some itinerant musicians
chanced to pass by; they were stopped
and requested to play to the sufferer,
when, to the surprise of all around, he
seemed relieved, and became SO tran
gull that he confessed his manifold Of
lenses and died, according to the tale,
with calm resignation It seems
more likely that the man lost con-
sciousness owing to the horrible tor
ture inflicted. OH
| a Four-Bagger.
Playwrigh htI think my play will
make hit. Mana But I want q