I'd always wondered why the Ampico in particular seemed to have such
a calming effect on myself, while watching and listening to it.  After
having discovered these two fine articles posted in The Music Trades
-- the one on August 13 of 1921 and t'other of August 27, 1921 --
I came to know why.  Here they are.

1. AMPICO MUSIC FOR BELLEVUE

-- Music Supplied by Reproducing Piano Used in Treatment of
Psychopathic Cases --

Recently an appeal was made through the New York papers for a piano
for the use of the psychopathic patients in Bellevue Hospital.
Messrs. Wm. Knabe & Co. immediately arranged to supply a Knabe piano
with the Ampico for the psychopathic ward of the hospital.  Experiments
are now being made with apparent success of the effect on the patients
of music heard in this way.

The use of music for therapeutic purposes is something which is
attracting more and more attention, and as a result of the work now
going on at Bellevue is being closely watched with the view to the
extension of the treatment, including the hearing of music in other
hospitals of similar character.

The Knabe with the Ampico has recently been supplied to the Gary de
Vabre Academy, and institution for the correction of defectives.  The
Ampico here is used in the aiding of mental corrections in order to
develop sound and tone reasoning power.

2. AMPICO IN THERAPEUTIC WORK

-- Miss Marion R. Taber Writes Appreciative Letter to Editor of
New York "Times" --

Recently Bellevue Hospital, New York, made an appeal through the New
York papers for a piano for use in the therapeutic ward of the hospital.
Messrs. Wm. Knabe & Co. immediately offered an Ampico reproducing piano,
and the following letter to the editor of the New York "Times" expresses
publicly the appreciation of this institution for the generosity of
Messrs. Wm. Knabe & Co.:

"To the editor of the New York "Times":

"I write to thank you for your courtesy in publishing my letter
requesting a piano for the men's psychopathic ward at Bellevue Hospital.

"On the date your letter appeared in your paper William Knabe & Co.
of 439 Fifth Avenue came forward with an offer to lend a Knabe Ampico
reproducing grand piano, which we gratefully received.  The piano is now
installed in the psychopathic ward and we consider it a very valuable
addition to the therapeutic work now being conducted for the patients.

"Twenty-five other generous persons likewise came forward with as many
pianos, all of which are being distributed throughout the city
hospitals.

"MARION R. TABER,
"Secretary-Treasurer New York City Visiting Committee."

End --

In the coming weeks this reporter will be searching for more of such
informances, as well as that concerning this novel, essential use per
se.  As far as I am aware, other than this present reportage of instant,
naught else has been before allowed us, re this particular fascinating
Ampico subject.

Additionally, and to close, some good and reliable information has come
to the effect that, too, a Welte-Mignon was once delivered to Bedlam
Hospital for the Terminally Insane (or, 'psychologically challenged' as
put in more modern, politically acceptable parlance) in England way back
in olde '07! The list of record-rolls chosen for use with it there was
(at least in-part recounted) said to have included as follows: Danse
Macabre of Saint-Saens' played by d'Albert; Marche Funabre of Chopin's
played by Vera Margolies; Le tambour bat au champs du Alkans joue par
Zadora and, Liszt's Mephisto's Walzer played by Galston, &tc.

It would seem unlikely at best, that pounding intonations of the Dies
irae echoing throughout the halls and chambers of Bedlam, would have had
any positive, palliative effect but, what do I know?

(Rather, this writer would have chosen for inclusion such numbers as
Mendelssohn's Spring Song, or Vargas's Garden Dance or Debussy's Jardins
sous la pluie, things like that.  Perhaps the intention was for those
chosen to be productive of some sort of reverse therapy or whatnot, that
the doctors had in mind.)

Needless to say that, the fact of the above not withstanding, the
Ampico as well as all other reproducing pianos _do_ possess power-innate
of the muse to "soothe a savage breast" and, perhaps even those of the
mad.  Hopefully, that was it and it worked.

Included below as links to images are some nifty views of both hospitals,
Bullevue and Bedlam.

Jim Miller
Las Vegas, Nevada.

 [   As awaited delivery might have appeared.
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/01/191001_050446_AwaitingTheAmpico.jpg 
 [   The most impressive gates.
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/01/191001_050446_GreatGatesOfBellevue.jpg 
 [   Dark and Mysterious Bellevue.
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/01/191001_050446_LugubriousBellevue.jpg 
 [   Abbandona ogni speranza che entri qui!!
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/01/191001_050446_Bedlam_Royal_Hospital.jpg