Cat piano

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It has been suggested that Katzenklavier be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

A cat piano or Katzenklavier (German) is a hypothetical musical instrument conceived by German physician Johann Christian Reil (1759-1813). It would consist of a line of cats fixed in place with their tails stretched out underneath a keyboard. Nails would be placed under the keys, causing the cats to cry out in pain when a key was pressed.

The purpose of this instrument was to treat patients who had lost the ability to focus their attention. Reil believed that if they were forced to see and listen to this instrument, it would inevitably capture their attention and they would be cured.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] External links

• Excerpt from "Rhapsodies on a Cat-Piano, or Johann Christian Reil and the Foundations of Romantic Psychiatry".