The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-05

the insane Is meeting with great success at
the Manhattan State Hospital on Ward :
Island
On this little reservation lying in the East
River within stones throw of Harlem.
are confined upward OF 5000 insane patients
whose dreary. colorless lives are frightened
considerably by the familiar tunes that are
part Of the new mental cure.
1t is in the West Hospital. where tho
majority of the female patients are cared
for. that Doctor Emmett c. Dent. the SUI
perintendent. has made music one of the
prime factors in his treatment for various
mental maladies.
The results obtained from recent expert
ments by Doctor Dent have been so grati-
flying that he feels justified in saying that
certain forms of insanity may be positively
cured by this method of harmony treat
nlent. while others are greatly benefited
by it.
qualities TO music: indeed, harmony has al
ways been Z recognized principle Of all ma
ture.. but its modern application is quite
novel.
Certain tones and keys We're believed by
the Egyptians TO possess more healing prop
critics than others. and there is record
that Philip Of Spain was cured of a suicidal
mania merely by listening 10 ballads SURF
This is the ancient theory which has been
adapted TO modern conditions by Doctor
Dent, where State patients offer n field Tor
experiment as vast and various as could be
desired.
In the way of general treatment by music.
band concerts are given at stated Intervals
PENDANTS, and in addition to the band there
is an orchestra, to which only female nurses
belong.
II the weather is bad on n concert after
noon the patients are assembled in one OF
the ward halls. while on pleasant days they
gather on the campus; where platform
tentivly to the strains of popular airs as
they blend with the swash of the passing
steamers
Dances are given every Saturday after
noon, and TO see the insane women of all
ages. ranging from youth almost to de-
crepitude. as they throw themselves with
polka. thread their way through the intrica-
cies of a quadrille. or march in solemn files
looking as If life held nothing more serious
than keeping time. produces a strange
mixture of feeling in the heart of the sane
observer.
PATHETIC MERRIMENT.
There IS pathos in the nondescript cloth
ing they wear their broad brimmed straw
rats. bereft of any sign of ornamentatton,
emphasizing the pathetic side of the picture;
but the feeling inspired by their appearance
soon gives way 10 one of relief when il is
observed that each colorlcss Individual gets
iie 6ltdltsl eHJus liitllt pul VI iSN.ea
ton.
Action is the one quality necessary to
make the melanchoia patient start on the
read to improvement: so dancing proves to
he of great benefit in cases of this kind.
Sometimes the patients dance by them
selves, again they trip gayly about in coup
detect evidences of insanity, so in dancing
the majority seem to move as though al!
the mental faculties were under perfect con-
troll.
choir is given regular and professional
training during the week. ard entertain
ments in which several feminine voices are
heard alternate with the instrumental con-
certs.
These musical periods are supplemented
by piano or pianola numbers. in which it Is
aimed to render variety OF airs inasmuch
as. tho same selection rercsted even few
times would have very disastrous effect
o.. case of melaaCho!ia.
Some of the patients themselves are musi-
clans of rather ordinary powers 10 re sure.
but when talent of any kind is discovered
in one Of them 1t is encouraged in every
pt ssible way.
There is no regularly appointed instructor
in music at the hospital, but the paid direc-
tor who has charge OF the orchestra and
cal improvement.
Music produces variety. of effects. ac-
cording to the mental condition of the in
sane.
Some begin to beat tattoo with their
hands. others swing their arms or tap their
feet. keeping perfect time. and then comes
the rousing dance. in which depression Is
forgotten. for the moment at least This Is
the musical treatment as diversion. but
have come under Doctor Dents personal
observation.
These are remarkable for showing Won
derful specific influence and interesting from
the scientific point of the effect OF melody
or mind.
Not long ago, hy way of test. several
patients were assembled in one of the large
ward halls in West Hospital. Here the in
st.tution hand had heen stationed and with
out warning stirring martial tune filled
the air 1t was desired to learn what effects
cases.
There We're the depressed. melanchoiia
type. the sufferer from acute mania, as well
as the chronic maniac.
The sudden transition from peace to pan
demoniunl. musical though it was, threw the
patients into various mental states. Some
raved with Increased violence. others danced
and sang with abandon. a few appeared
quoted by the unusual sounds, while sew
eral seemed unconscious of any vibratory
disturbance.
As a benefit the experiment was not
SUCCESS when the patients were brought in
en masse. What soothed one case irritated
another, but the results were OF interest on
account of their value in further tests.
After this it was decided to carry on ex.
of two months with five seances each week.
Eighteen patients were given the musical
treatment In this way. and the observations.
noted were that over rs per rent recovered
and 80 per cent improved. OF the Who'll.
number II per cent were benefited
One of the most Interesting Of these test
cases. as it was watched from day to day.
was that of young Jewish girl who was
in a very excited state NJ the beginning.
sometimes growing wild and incoherent. In
strumental and vocal music in gay and sad
moods was tried upon her, and from the
very first 1t was seen that she was mucl,
impressed, especially when listening 10 slow.
pathetic airs, At such times she would
grow auieter. her ravng would finally cease
and in the end tears would well up In her
ewes Az the DAYS went by she began Ia
show decided signs of Improvement and
eventually recovered.
UNUSUAL CASES.
Acute mania in the case OF woman was
treated after the same manner, with the
use, however of more pathetic music Tho