The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
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SOME HOT WEATHER FACTS.
By FIELDING MANSFIELD.
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yoR The SUNDAY nEpuB1lc.

u
WRITTEN yoR THE SUNDAY REPuBIIc.
During my bovhood. a man experienced
In astronomy and the sciences directed my
attention to the fact that in very cold
weather in December and January the
nights were particularly cold when the
moon was full, provided the skies were
clear. My observations extending over a
period OF forty-five years, have confirmed
this condition
And my observations during tho past
thirty years have established another fact
as to the influence OF the moon upon the
temperature during the period from May ]
to October L From the middle Of tho Sec
ond quarter to the middle Of the third quar-
ter of the moon there Is a heated term,
which reaches its highest temperature dur
ing the three or four days Immediately be-
fore and Immediately after the moon is
full: the full moon being the eliminating
time for the highest Temperatures: provided
the atmosphere is clear during the day, and
provided further that, At the middle Of the
second quarter. the moon rises between 6
and Z o'clock p. m.
do not propose to advance any theories
as to the cause OF these conditions of ex-
cessive heat and cold at the times stated,
because II Is sufficient to announce the fact,
which Is conclusive to me without any the
cries whatever on the subject. do not
AheAhidto AHdt NeatcO terIn3 90 NOT, or can
not, occur at other times. but do mean
to say that they always, do occur at the
times stated and under the conditions speci-
ned. As, OF course. the heated terms may
be moderate or excessive. OF short or long
duration. according to the prevailing at
mospheric conditions. within the limit of
the time specified.
What Experimenfs Have Shawn
Experiments have shown that the concen-
tration or the rays Of the full moon, by
means OF q powerful sun glass and brought
to focus upon the bulb of thermometer,
Will effect a slight rise Of the mercury,
This indicates that the moons rays con-
tain some small degree of latent heat The
same experiment with the SUMS rays would
ignite wood or melt piece of stone.
Now. while this slightly perceptible heat
OF the moons rays may be concluded to ex-
ert some influence toward Increasing the
temperature In daytime during the sum-
mer. this contention falls nat when It is
moon In winter intensifies the cold at night
It would appear impossible to reconcile the
diametric effect Of the moon upon the sum-
n mer heat and winters cold. unless refer
gested In one Of the old fables. wherein it
Is stated that two travellers met on the
road on a cold day. One man blew on his
man blew on the hot soup to cool 1t.
Whereupon the second man drove the first
one from his house, saying he would have
hot and cold from his mouth. which he CON.
sidered dishonest. However, the facts are
that the hot breath warns the hands BY
direct heat; and the same hot breath blown
onto the soup cools It. not as It would be
cooled by adding cold water, but because
the hot breath blows away from the SOUP
the greater heat contained therein. The sa-
lar theory the fact that a full moon in
creases the cold at night in December and
January. Possibly electricity may be re-
sign the theories to the savants.
Elects Of Heat Prostrati0ns.
Aside from the probability of sudden
death, heat prostrations are particularly
distressing, and usually are followed by
complications which may interest either Of
the organs Of the human system. The Sc
quelae often appear late in life in conjunc-
with disastrous results Professional men
declare that heat prostrations Immediately
snect and violently disturb the brain. the
suspending Precipitation. and are followed 5,
complete relaxation OF muscular force and
q general collapse.
OF course. this shock WIN leave its effect
always for long period land often for
lie. This IL especially true where the
prostration occurs with middle-aged or
older persons. The effects appear to be
more serious with elderly persons and with
those whose habits have been incorporate,
no matter in what direction. Possibly be-
cause prior excuses have lessened the nor
and have reduced the reserve store Of en-
ergy and vitality below the point of sue
cessful resistance to any violent shock.
Some Of the Caases.
Sun heat In itself never induces heat
with persons whose health and
general physical condition Is normal.
Healthy and vigorous persons perform Gus
tomary labor and take moderate exercise
tn hn r0xy <nPt he Nz,ffb h..
out being affected with heat prostration.
This y also true as to those who are not
accustomed to daily exposure to the sun.
other than exposure to the SUMS rays. As
a matter Of fact. heat prostrations often
occur Indoors IN factories, without exposure
h sha1 . sna d sp ss srs w NJ
wagon driver. brickmason or hodcarrier
was ever Frustrated BY heat while at work
In the sum-" provided he was q temperate
Heat prostrations occur during the heat
ed term. and there ara more cases In the
beginning Of the term than Afterwards,
begin to take care OF themselves. It has
been shown when these heated terms may
be expected and when they will begin. SO
welfare all the time he can, at least, pre-
pare for each special visitation. Many men
give over entirely smoking and drinking
partures from usual habits are neither nee
essary nor advisable. because violent de-
partures in any direction from the customs
and habits of everyday life should be
avoided In hot weather. To suddenly give
up the use Of stimulants In the midst Of q
heated term results In an enervating relax
alton which may be more dangerous than
. continuation OF the use Of the stimulants.
Suggestions for Hot Weather.
II tho following suggestions be observed
from June to September heat prostra-
tons will be escaped:
Sleep In cool place and under some sort
Of covering. avoiding q direct draft. Retire
early and sleep e As late an hour In the
and materially decreases the time Of expo
sure to the effect Of the heat. Upon rising
take q sponge hath with water Of an ac-
ceptable temperature. and Immediately AFT
er drink cool water. :
The breakfast may b q hearty ono, ~
fresh eggR hot fresh meat, alternating
daily either with bacon or ham: potatoes.