MUSIC AS A CURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 27, 31 January 1920, Page 19

MUSIC AS A CURE.

LADY BACKS THE MUSES AGAINST ALL ILLS. Muwic as a cure-all for the ills to which the flesh Is heir is now advocated by Mrs. Ira Maud Ilsen, the American Red Cross hospitals. As proof that music is the first prescription for illness she quotes the Book of Samuel, which says: — "And It came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." Mrs. Ilsen. who Is also professor of music-co-therapy at Columbia University. New "refreshed and well" by the therapeutic action of appropriate melody. She points out that a hospital In Allentown, Pennsylvania, requires its nurses to take a twoyears' course In voice culture to qualify for therapeutic work. Experiments In the effect of music have been conducted by Mrs. Ilsen ou afflicted persons in prisons, asylums, and homes for the incurable and feeble-minded. She has in "musical prescriptions," which, she says, have been of particular value in her hospital work and the diseases they are designed to cure. Among some of the Ills and their treatment which she specifies are the following:— Insomnia.—Music: "Spinning Maiden," Itaff; "Aye Maria," Schubert (violin); "Mammy's Song," Ware; "Serenade,'" Bchubert: "Reverie," S<*utt. Hysteria.—Music: Barcarolle, "Tales of Hoffmann"; "Moonlight Sonata," first movement, Beethoven; "To a. Wild Rose." Macdowell. Rheumatism. —Muelc: "Toccata." Bach; "Rondon," sonata, opus 53; presto con Beethoven. I Dyspepsia.-Music: "La Cinqulntalne," ! Gabriel Marie: "Tambourin Chlnols," Krelsler: "Love's Joy." Kreieler: "Hungarian Dances," Brahms; "Spanish Dance," Saraj sate: "Hungarian Etude." Macxiowell; "To the Sea." Macdowell; "Prelude." Rachmaninoff; "Mazurka," A minor, Chopin; "Spring Waltz." l> flat major, Carreno; "Marche Grotesque." Slndlng; "Invitation to the Waltz."' Weber. Three sections of music are specially chosen for various stnges of tuberculosis, and neurasthenia is another trouble which