MUSIC AND HEALTH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 358, 20 October 1932, Page 6

MUSIC AND HEALTH

THE RIGHT TUNE WILL CURE ALL SORTS OF DISEASES. Music as an aid to health — that is the idea of Dr. Agnes Saville, a London specalist. She declares that a half hour spent

listening to the right kmd of music will heal certain diseases more surely than medicine, and believes that music will lead her to a discovery of a eancer cure. The piano was played for half an hour to 1400 women mental patients. It was found that all responded to the rhythm. In some, the pulse rate rose; others became restless and heat time — with slow music the worst cases were soothed, even sent to sleep. After several experiments it was found that all showed improvement. "Hecker," continues Dr. Saville, "quotes evidence from old Italian re-

cords as to the therapeutic value of music for the victims of tarantula and snake bites. Matthiol describes how patients in a state of collapse were snatched from the very jaws of death by the aid of music. Clarinets and drum were used, and if the music was arrested the result was exceedingly dangerous for the patient, who at once relapsed. The music had to be varied aceording to the degree of the illness, and it was also noticed that false notes ajgravated the patient's condition.