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REMARKABLE CURE OF A FEVER BY MUSIC.
An Attested Fact.
At Aix la Chapelle, a celebrated Master of Music, a doctor in the
science, and a great composer, was seized with a fever, which increasing
daily, became perpetual: On the 9th day he fell into a very violent
delirium, accompanied with shrieks, tears, panics, and a perpetual
wakefulness, almost without any intermission. On the third day of his
delirium, one of those natural instincts, which, it is said, cause the
brute animals, when sick, to seek the herbs that are proper for them,
caused him to desire that a little concert might be performed in his
chamber. It was with great difficulty that the physician consented to
it. On the patient’s hearing a tune he himself composed, and which was
much approved, his countenance assumed a serene and pleasing air, his
eyes were no longer fierce or wild, the convulsions totally ceased, he
shed tears of pleasure, and shewed a much greater sensibility than could
be expected or hoped for so soon. He was free from the fever during the
whole concert; but as soon as it was finished, he relapsed into his
former condition. Upon this they did not fail to continue the use of the
remedy, whose success had been so unforeseen, and so happy; the fever
and delirium were ever suspended during the time the concert was
performing: and music in a few days time became so necessary to the
patient, that at night he prevailed on a kinswoman who attended him to
sing several tunes and even to dance. One night in particular, when
there was not a person with him but the nurse, who had no voice for
singing, nor knew any piece but a wretched, stupid ballad, he was
obliged to her for even that dull performance, and it is said had some
relief from it. In about a fortnight music perfected his cure without
any other assistance than once bleeding in the foot, the efficacy of
which was held as rather doubtful.
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