The Washington times., 1904-11-28
DISCUSSING MUSIC
AS A THERAPEUTIC
Some Physicians Doubt Its
Value.
TOO COSTLY FOR ONE THING
And Too Little Known of the Methods
Of Cure-Kennedy's Novel
Theories.

CHICAGO, Nov. 2S.-ChIcago physi-
clans do not believe that music as a
therapeutic agent. as demonstrated by
Dr. Francis 5. Kennedy, of BROOKLYN.
has any practical value.
The brooklyn physician invited twenty
trained nurses 10 his home. He was
seated at piano playing. The music
ranged from Annie Laurie" to the pro-
ducuons OF the masters. Wagner's over
tues formed large part of the pro-
sram.
The physician kept close watch on his
guests and examined them after exeyv
Eumber. He announced that there were
variations Of from fifteen to twenty-five
bsdts a minute I'm the pulse of subjects
under contrasting influences.
That is all perfectly true saws DIR
ii'fold n Meyer, an expert on nervous
diseases.
But is it Of any practical benefit? I
sometimes attend grand opera. When
'l-ohengrin' is sung go away tired. I
am an worn OUT when siegfried's death
song mas been sung. I am tired physi-
cally. Sometimes go out and get some
timing 20 eat siegfried has that effect
upon me. But would not know how
10 apply 1t In my practice.
Knows No TOOthache Music.
Say. for instance. that man was
suffering from toothache. What music
would sou play or sing? Would IL be
Ola Hundred, OF would it be Yankee
Doodle? ] don't know. I'm asking for
Information. And if man was tone
deaf2 What is il 20 be tone deaf? IL
means that something is the matter
with the ear and that tone is not an
pIecldteG-- ! on ne heard men watkins,
alOuE state Street WhisIing out of tune
Well, they are tone deaf"
The physician was silent for Il short
time: Evidently he was thinking deeply.
'Inere are some instances where il
might be used TO good effect. If a pa
tent was dispirited YOU might pre-
scribe q brass band or a hand organ.
, he gay music Of the band might en-
liVen and do the work Of medicine. And
again. the hand organ might get upon
ones nerves and leave him in worse
condition than before. I'm sure the sub
Ject is beyond me. / never would know
whether 10 prescribe "a piano or "a brass
band. IL would be necessary for the
practitioner 10 know too much. 30
Thinks Remedy Too Costly.
Dr J. C. Herman objected TO music
as q therapeutic upon another ground
physician. only the rich could afford
a brass band or an orchestra when they
We're indisp0sed. OF course. j believe
that music has some value a. a thera-
peuuc. But / am certain that the day
is far distant when il will replace rnedi-
cine i have had patients who no doubt
would have been benefited bv tie appli-
cation OF this principle. For instance.
have had patients who We're suffering
from depression. II was impossible for
them TO find natural rest, they could not
go 10 sleep. Under these conditions
should prescribe music that was gay.
but not TOO gay mind you- lt would
have the effect OF eullveuing the mind
OF the patient. The depression and it,
cause would gradually be forgotten. The
result would be q healthy condition of
mind and natural rest.
This question OF using music as a
therapeutic H. by no means "a new one.
II is something like 300 years old and
many experiments have been conducted
along that line. But lt has never been
found practical and so far as 1 know IL
is not ia use in any part OF the world. '