How did Benjamin Rush support the clinical use of music?

Benjamin Rush was a prominent American physician and an early advocate for the clinical use of music. While Rush is often remembered for his controversial reliance on bloodletting, he also made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry and encouraged the exploration of music's physiological effects.12

His support for music therapy was primarily expressed through his role as a mentor and educator. He oversaw the work of American medical researchers who conducted early studies on the subject, including Edwin Augustus Atlee, who published a dissertation on music therapy in 1804, and Samuel Mathews, who published a second in 1806. By fostering an environment where his students could investigate the therapeutic potential of music, Rush helped lay the groundwork for the scientific study of music as a clinical tool in the 19th century.1