Music Soothes the Savage Breast

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‘‘Music has Charms to soothe a savage Breast’’ is a familiar phrase which dates back to 1697 as part of a play entitled The mourning bride by the poet William Congreve. Less familiar are the lines which follow: ‘‘To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak. I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d, And, as with living Souls, have been inform’d.’’1 The initial phrases of this poem may be interesting to think about in terms of music’s application in medicine...