MUSICAL INTOXICATION.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 3217, 20 November 1900, Page 7

MUSICAL INTOXICATION.

The influence of musio upon the respiration, the heart and the capillary circulation, is the subject of a paper by MM. A. Binet and J. Courtier. Experiments were made upon a well known musical composer, and the investigators endeavoured to determine effects produoed by musical sound alone, as distinct from those due to emotions aroused by pieces associated with dramatic incidents or words. Isolated notes, chords in unison, and discords were first tried. Both major chords struck in a lively manner and discords quickened tbe respiration, the latter more especially. Minor chorda tended to retard respiration. Wheu melodies were tried it was found that all, whether grave or gay, produced quickened respi-ation and increased ac'ion of the heart. The lively tunes produced the greatest acceleration. Where ihe sound was wholly uncomplicated by emotional ideas, as in single notes or chords, the heart's aotion was accelerated, but not in so marked a degree as when a melody either grave or gay was played. During operatic pieces, or those well known to the subject, the acceleration attained its maximum. The influence of music on the cap ; llary circulation was tested by a recording instrument attached to the right hand. The capillary tracings showed that a slight diminution of puUation was usually produced by musical souads, the effect being very email when sad melodies were played, but well marked when lively airs were played.