Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-27
Under the Weather.

w,,v when we are slightly Ill. do We
saw we are under the weather! HOW
far are mood and working trim oe-
nandent on rain or shine, heat or coid,
state of measure of the air? So general
a belief presumably has some basis IN
fact weather in its larger aspects
makes climate, and climate ana CIVIL
cation have a direct relation, as Mr.
Ellsworth Huntington has SHOWN IN
several interesting books. There IS eVl-
dence that when Assyrla ana Esypt
were in their glory their climate was
more stimulating than in the modern
DAYS of their decline. Life in the polar
regions is compatible only with bare
existence: In the torrid zone human
energies are subdued to ease ana IAN
cuor. Some who have migrated from
rugged climates, alternating the rlgorS
of Winter with the heat of Summer,
10 eouable regions like California that
lack this stimulus, find themselves sue
cunbing to a paradise of weather.
People vary in their susceptibility 10
weather: some are indifferent ana 90
ahead in all climates; others regard
most weather as conspiracy against
their comfort. It's favorlte topic OF
conversation if not of investigation. 10
cite Mark Twain: Everybody talks
about the weather: but nooooy ooes
anything about 1t,
Some psychologists have done some
thing to find out about 1t, and the
findings of Prof Dexter, though gath
cred so years ago, are just as valid TO-
day. as neither human nature nor
climate alter in that period. The idea
was TO turn to statistics, which tell
what happens in the long run and on
the average. Even slight differences
take on meaning when they represent
long-continued observations.
Here is a pretty miscellaneous list OF
bits of behavior on which We keep tao,
and SO can see whether they go up or
down with the temperature or the state
of the barometer. School absence and
misconduct, assaults, attacks or IN
sanity, suicides, deaths, crimes, errors
of bank clerks. These are samples of
unwelcome events, things to be avoided.
Speaking generally and roughly, they
are all more prevalent in hot weather.
Heat upsets human behavior and so
does humidity. Such issues depend on
many causes. and weather just enters
to cast the deciding vote when things
are going that way anyhow.
Unfayorahle weather uses up the re-
serves of energy. and so diSturbs the
mental and emotional balance. Shake
speare noted this. The day Is hot. the
Capulets abroad. and If We meet We
shall not scape bgawl. for now these
hot days is the mad blood stirring"
We can do little something about 1t.
We can ease the strains Of work and
routine in extreme hot weather We
can find out what special factors ag-
gravate the situation. Bad ventilation
and Stagnant air interfere particularly
with mental fitness because they lower
bodily fitness. These are conditions OF
the indoor weather that We create for
ourselves in the artificial atmosphere OF
our lives. Electric fans. by keeping the
air in circulation. are a relief. So de-
pendent are we on sunlight that we
have found artificial substitutes IN spe-
cia4 electric lamps 10 flood the skin and
stimulate its natural function. Sun
baths and sun parlors are much in
vogue, and show how closely body
health and mind health go together.
Yet In all these subtle influences
the mind does much to make its own
weather. Mood is real. but We can't
afford to yield to It unduly. II won't
do to frown and s,lik because it's rain
ing outside or because we feel dismal
inside. More or less We must get from