Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-05-11

The phychic power of music as an adjunct in the treatment of dlaeases is literally as old as antiquity Da'lo cured Saul of Melancholia, by DIS skill as q musician. The ancient Greeks and Romans were enthuslas- tic advocates of Musical Medicine, as
 remedy for all sorts of maladles, Aulus Angellus eN,olled the use or music of the flute as a cure for sclau- ca, an opinion voiced by 'DemocTltus' while Pythagoras is credited Wlth having composed certain divine mix lures of diatonic, enharmonlc, ana chromatic melodies, which were de- signed as antidotes to moods. Re- gently our best physicians have been convinced that music has therapen- tic value. Our leading medical Jour- nals show signs of rapidly groWlnS interest in the subject due to the amazing discoveries that modern psychology has made with regard to the influence of the mind on the health of the body. It is known that the state of ones thoughts and emo- tions, exercises an appreciable effect on the circulation digestion, and res piretion, and in reality the function ing of every bodily organ NO hlns appeals to the emotional nature of man as music. Everyone has eXper- fenced it's unique suggestive force lh conveying ideals and feelings, creat- ing moods, and impelling to action. Who of us can listen unmoved to the p]aintiye sweetness of "Home Sweet Home' or has not felt the blood pulse faster at "DiXie's" exhilarating strains. It is not hard to understand the magic in the finale of Beethoven s Fifth Symphony that caused the Ma poleonic veteran to leap to his feet in the crowed concert hall with the cry "The Emporer." Nor can we wonder that during the wars of the French Revolution, it was forbidden on pain of death to play "Ranz des Vaches" in hearing of the Swiss soldiers, as it was found that the familiar melody, inspired them with such an intense longing for home, that they were deserting by hundreds. Experiments made on persons listen- ing to music has left no doubt that the onset of fatigue can be retarded or hastened by the kind of music played.
 It cannot cure any person suffer- ing from any organic insanities, nor con it overcome disease germs, CT mend broken bones. still here it has it's usefulness in point of raising the vt 2lity, and alleviating pain.
 In our schools it is gaining reeog- nition as an educational force but is still absent from too many homes, where it is more needed, fer there it's great suggestive power may make it. self more surely felt, to aid in right thinking and right living Music is law. To the universe it gives soul, 1 wings to the mind, charm to sad ness. and life to everything. It in tensifies interest, strengthens mem- | ory and gives trend to thought, en- courages the timid, and curbs the 1 bold. A good choir puts light in the
 pew, and zeal in the pulpit. It gives power to the actor attention in the audience and a soul in play. It i gives beauty to art, pr9fundity to
 science, and glory to nature. To li- terature it gives is brightest gems l to labor it's crown, strengthens faith | enhances devotion, and redoubles energy. It imparts grace to move ment, is the basis of morals and the
 core of religion. Music is as natural
 as the heartbeat; it lightens the bur dens of life, animates the Respondent
 makes existence sweet, and is as beautiful as the dawn. It lights the
 eyes with an unfading luster, paints | the cheeks with @ magnetic glow. and 1 gives power to expression It asks
 no favors not it's due, refuses no ser
 vice, refines the heart, and elevates ideals. It makes sacred the circle of a home, then at last, when the end
 of mortal life it o'er. and we hear the angels singing it lights our pathway to "Heaven Sweet Home"