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Music for Bathing and Spa Therapy in the Early Modern Period

    Lorenz Adamer

VIRUS Band 21, pp. 069-084, 2023/03/22

Schwerpunkt: Musik und Medizin

doi: 10.1553/virus21s069

doi: 10.1553/virus21s069


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doi:10.1553/virus21



doi:10.1553/virus21s069



doi:10.1553/virus21s069

Abstract

Spas and baths proved to be spaces where a wide array of dietary and medicinal approaches to improving health were connected. For the medicinal theories of the early modern era (1500– 1750) the teachings on humor, spiritus and temperament, and the difference between res naturales and res non naturales were essential. One’s health was also considered to be significantly dependent on one’s emotional state, and could therefore be influenced by music as well. Thus, music was of central importance to medical advice regarding spas and baths in the early modern era because of its influence on, or control of, human emotions, which affected both the mind and the body. As illustrated by the many medical remarks in balneological treatises, music not only stimulated emotions but also caused reactions in the human body.

Keywords: Early modern period, bath, spa, music therapy, Central Europe, dietary