The time will soon come when singing will be regarded as one of
the great helps to physicians in lung diseases, more especially
in their incipient state. Almost every branch of gymnastics is
employed in one way or another by the doctors, but the simple
and natural function of singing has not yet received its full
meed of attention. In Italy, some years ago statistics were
taken which proved that the vocal artists were especially
long-lived and healthy, under normal circumstances, while of
the brass instrumentalists it was discovered that consumption
never claimed a victim among them. Those who have a tendency
toward consumption should take easy vocal exercises, no matter
how thin and weak their voices may seem to be. They will find a
result at times, far surpassing any relief afforded by medicine.
Vocal practise, in moderation, is the best system of general
gymnastics that can be imagined, many muscles being brought into
play that would scarcely be suspected of action in connection
with so simple a matter as tone production. Therefore, apart
from all art considerations, merely as a matter of health,
one can earnestly say to the healthy, “Sing! that you may
remain so,” and to the weakly, “Sing, that you may become
strong.”--Boston _Musical Herald_.
(2964)
=Singing Stays Panic=--See SELF-RESTRAINT.