Final answer:
In the late 18th century, specifically the 1700s, music was used in European medical treatments, but a changing philosophy towards empirical science was beginning to influence medical practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the late 18th century, music was indeed used by European physicians in the treatment of disease, marking an era of intersecting medical and cultural practices. As this period refers to the 1700s, the correct answer to your question is A) 1700s. The late 18th century reflects an era that was characterized by gradual advancements in medical knowledge, as seen in the implementation of better sanitation systems like those in London post-cholera epidemic, and innovations in medicine such as the use of anesthesia developed in the 1840s. Concurrently, the cultural landscape saw significant shifts with the dissemination of music through mechanisms like the Gutenberg press and the evolution of forms like opera out of the classical traditions.
The evolving philosophy towards health and science mirrors the greater Enlightenment thinking of the time, which emphasized rationalism and scientific inquiry over traditional beliefs. While music was still seen as therapeutic, approaches to medicine began to shift towards more empirical methods as the understanding of disease evolved.