OF SERPENTS. 159 



different Parts of the Body, and is communicated to thofe Nerves, 

 according as it finds them more or lefs in JJnifon .... Hence the 

 Paffions and Madnefs itfelf. Ibid. 



In Mufick are different Talles, which feems to proceed from 

 the different Conftltutlons of the Fibres or the animal Spirits : The 

 Fibres of the auditory Nerves are differently difpofed in different 

 Perfons, and in the fame Perfon at diverfe Times 3 but generally 

 fpeaking, Mufick infpires more plealing Sentiments, e.g. 



A Certain famous French Phyfician being ill, fell into a 

 violent Deliriiwi, after fome Days Illnefs of a continued Fever : 

 the third Day of his Deliriu?n^ I know not by what Inflind:, 

 (f\ys the Learned Father Regnault) made him defire a Co?2cerf of 

 Mujick\ upon which, they play'd, and fung to him the Songs of 

 M. Bermer * : Scarcely had he heard the firft Notes, but his Eyes 

 were calm ; a Serenity was fpread all over his Countenance, the 

 Convulfions ceafed, and he wept thro' Excefs of Pleafure j he was 

 free from his Fever all the time of the Concert, but whenever they 

 ceafed finging, he relapfed into his former Condition : They fail'd 

 not to continue fo marvellous a Remedy, which always fufpended 

 his Indifpofition. In fliort, after ten Days mufical Entertainment, 

 he was reflored to his former Health. Ibid, 



Another Inftance, is a Dancing-Mafter oi Alais in France^ 

 who had the fame Fate in the Year 1708 j after a Fever of about 

 four Days, and a long Lethargy, he fell into a Deltriu?n^ both 

 mad and dumb. One of his Friends took his Violin, and plaid to 

 him thofe Airs he was moll accuflom'd to : People thought at firfl, 

 that the Flayer was as mad as the Fatient'-i buc, in a fliort time, 

 the fick Man raifed himfclf upright in his Bed, with the Air of 

 a Man agreeably furpriz'd .... All his Motions difcover'd the 

 Pleafure he felt : Soon after he fell into a deep Sleep, and the 

 Crifis he had during his Sleep, pcrfeded his Cure, Ibid. 



One P.eafon of this ftrange Operation might be this, viz. 

 The Sound of the Inflrument agit;ites the Fibres, efpecially thofe 

 that are in Unifon, by that means brings to his Remembrance a- 

 greeable Perceptions . . . fets the animal Spirits going, and reflores- 

 them to their natural Courfe : Thefe Spirits being moved, run in- 

 to the Neives aiid Mufcles, where they have been ufed to run, 

 in order to form the Motion of certain Airsj the Paffages of the 



Blood: 



* 'Father Ueg?;. from Hi/?, of the Royal Academy in 'Brancs.- 



