Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-10

ence to the weather
map. The paths Of storms. for instance
will be followed as they pass over the
country, and cases of illness and death
happening in the localities traversed will
be compared with similar cases occurring
tefore and after the same storms. A great
er part of the investigation will be ma re
into the relationship between all diseases
and the seasons and climates. The most
interesting part of the work will be that
relating to suicides and violent deaths, dis
eases Of the mind. ETC.
All of these studies, proposed by the Sec
rotary of Agriculture Mr.. Morton, Rave
been placed under the direction of
W. F. r. Phillips, medical expert
who has made speciality of such matters
After the Investigations have further FRO
crossed, a weekly bulletin will be issued
medical profession and such others as are
interested.
A number of cards have been issued to
all of the state and city boards of health
and to all medical doctors In the cities who
care to cooperate. Each of these contains
a list of such diseases as are to be investi-
gated. The health officers are requested to
mark off, in a score for each day, the num-
Der of deaths occurring from the diseases
named The physicians are to check off
diseases treated in that week. regardless of
death. These are to be mailed every Sat
urday night to the section of sanitary eli
matology. Many Of them are already pour
ing in, and their compilation is in progress
Maps of Diseases.
Maps will be prepared each week. show
irg the, prevalence of certain diseases in
each section of the country. Each form
of illness will be designated by differ
ent colored spot. Curves connecting like
Mill i,,dio To ha hal fra
by certain diseases. If repetitions of these
diseases occur in the same sections, under
the same climatic conditions, the bureau
in the future will be able to mark disease
waves on the charts, as well as waves Of
rain, snow, drought, etc. II is very obvious
that this will be of value to the Boards of
health and medical profession. 1t is ex-
pected, also, that sufficient will be learned
concerning the effects of the climate of
certain sections to recommend them to
persons suffering from diseases, as well as
to warn others against them.
AS DR.. Phillips yesterday explained to
the writer that this work will give valu-
able results is best shown by a series of
investigations made in New York some
years ago by Drs. Buchan and Mitchell,
two English specialists, who had previous
ly made similar studies in London. Theirs
was the only thorough invest gation of the
kind ever made in this country. Their in
vestigation covered period of seven years.
1t was found that the greatest number of
deaths of all classes of people over ore
year of age in New York city occurs in the
latter part of March,
Infants under one year die off in July
in tremendous numbers. In London, how
ever. the greatest number of deaths of
persons of all ages occurs in December
Infants there die off rapidly in July but not
so rapidly as in December. In New York
city measles were found to be at their
height in July. scarlet fever in early May
h .i,,ep ~, u
in December, commissions and all nervous
diseases in July. All troubles of the throat
were most abundant in winter, as were
those CT the intestines in summer. But
Strangest of all these discoveries was that
a far greater number of suicides, both in
New York and London, occurs in the spring
and summer than in autumn or winter.
The Weather and Crime.
But, as was pointed out by DR.. Phillips,
here are some facts concerning the effects
of the seasons upon the human constitu-
ton which are even more Interesting es-
pecially just at this season of the year.
These were lately observed by Dr. LET
fingwell Of England, whose investigations
included nearly every country in the world.
DR.. Leffingwell finds that in spring and
summer people are inclined to be much
more immoral and unhealthy than in the
colder seasons. He claims that In the
warm months there is a preponderance of
murders, suicides, divorces, assaults, duels
riots, wars and political revolutions, while
the same period causes a conspicuous in
crease in the DEATH birth and marriage
rates. He found, also, that divorces and,
ON the other hand. love affairs. were in
creased to some extent, although he did
not dwell widely on the traits of the sum
mer girl in his scientific researches.
All Of his theories are supported hy ac-
curate data, collected from the official gov
eminent records of various countries, the
United States included. DR.. Lethngwell's
theory sets forth that the light and heat
the action of the heart and The exeita ton
of the nervous system. From both of these
result high emotion, increased tendencies
toward jealousy, comba tivenass, irritability
or disagreeableness, sentimentality, men tai
depression and restlessness, all of which
conditions will account for the results nen-
toned in the previous list.
EXamina ton was made of the records of
several cities of this country, well of
others, concerning the suicide records. The
summing up of all the figures showed that
in every northern country the number of
voluntary deaths steadily increased from
the beginning of the year until May, June
and July, after which it just as regularly
declined, although in winter the distress Of
the poorer classes is always at It's height.
The records of insane asyluns OF various
countries, including this, showed that a
sort of tidal wave of mental disorder like
wise begins with the advent of spring, and
increases into the summer. Although the
ancients believed the moon to be the cause
of insanity, these facts seem 20 throw some
of the responsibility for it upon the sun.
Many experts in charge of insane asylums
have reported that as spring advances an
increase in excitement prevails among pa
tents.
Crimes and Political Troubles.
In regard to crimes, the records of such
countries as have been examined show that
the greatest number of murders and muir
derous assaults happen each year in sum-
mer and the least in winter. These inves-
legations covered a period of ten years, not
enc year showing an exception. In the
same countries it was found that the hot
season was the most and the cold the least
productive Of assaults upon women.
Crimes resulting from hatred or antipathy
show the same increase. In France. the
only country examined in this regard, a
greater per cent of divorce cases was found
to be In court in spring and summer than
in other months.
AS far as war, instruction, political
troubles, etc. are concerned the same re-
suits were found. In Italy more duels are
fought in hot weather than in cold The
spirit of patriotism is also found to be
IN he cyar 40