Effect Of Weather On Illness Studied

Press, Volume C, Issue 29480, 5 April 1961, Page 9

Effect Of Weather On Illness Studied

[By HARVEY JAMES!

Traditionally, a snap diagnosis for ailments ranging from headaches upwards is that the victim is feeling “under the weather.” Doctors have long toyed with the possibility that behind this old wives’ cliche there might lurk an element of truth. But until recently there has been no scientific basis for their suspicions.

Now, around the world, the whole subject of weather and illness is being subjected to searching scrutiny by medical investigators.

In West Germany, the connexion is already regarded as proved. Doctors who have carried out tests on 300,000 persons have discovered changes in weather often act like a health barometer in patients. Experiments show heart and circulatory ailments are those most seriously affected by weather changes. A steep rise in deaths was found in the humid period immediately before a rain belt. Cold-weather Nerves

The cold air mass which followed was found to increase several complaints, including epileptic attacks, strokes, migraine and generally "nervy" conditions.

Now the German doctors are planning a nationally coordinated scheme between medical authorities and the weather men. Whenever possible, patients will be operated on only during the most favourable meteorological periods. Serious surgery and other treatment will be speeded up or postponed until the unfavourable weather peak has passed. The new system will be based on a code word broadcast over local West German radio stations during normal weather forecasts. By means of a chart, doctors will know the type of patient most likely to be upset by weather approaching during the next 24 hours.

Four research hospitals have been selected on a geographical basis to supply specialised reports on the scheme.

They have been chosen to present a picture of the most contrasting climates available in West Germany. Their scope extends from the raw, “tough” weather of the North Sea coast near Hamburg, through to the bracing, highaltitude snow country of the Bavarian Alps. Winter Chilis

Elsewhere, a working rule in health statistics for many years has been that damp, cold winters bring big penal-

ties in the form of influenza, rheumatics, bronchitis, and the common cold. A wet, warm summer and autumn can be expected to push up the death rate for chest and infectious diseases. A summer full of long bright days of sunshine encourages polio' and hepatitis.. This pattern between the Ills Which afflict the human body and the weather outside the front door became so marked that. in Britain, a Government survey was conducted into the subject. The result was the compilation of an "illness calendar.” Based 6n a sample analysis made in a four-year investigation, it lists'the expectancy rate for many leading ailments. February has been found to be the month for colds, influenza and respiratory disease. March favours rheumatism and - heart attacks. And in the 12-week period leading up to Christmas, ear, eye, vein, anaemia, and gastrointestinal diseases become most widespread. Spring and early summer fills the -waiting-rooms of doctors and hospitals with patients suffering from one iorm or another of skin infection. The survey suggests that persons who habitually get colds during their holidays should try the time immediately after mid-summer. The odds against a cold ‘hen are 22 to 1, Men More Sensitive Evidence from countries in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed compared with Europe and North America, paints to a similar seasonal pattern. Some diseases—like colds

and influenza—are common to both sexes during the winter. But the survey looked deeper into seasonal suffering than that. Women were found to be much more prone to rheumaticky attacks in the spring and early summer than men. However, on a year-round basis, men are apparently the more sensitive sex when it comes to weather. The worst month for heart trouble among men is March. But the winter months all round are bad for the male nervous systems except, oddly enough, at Christmas. The troubles that keep men away from their jobs in midwinter include internal upsets, and disorders of the ear and eye. In the United States—at the University of California—a research team directed by Dr. Albert P. Kreuger has uncovered further signs that a close link exists between the weather and the day-to-day state of health. Work is based on a study of ions, the atoms which have become charged with electricity. Hard to Breathe

Tests were made which exposed the respiratory tracts of rabbits and other animals to air containing minute doses of ions which were loaded cither positively or negatively with electricity. The positive ions tended to inhibit the ability of the breathing apparatus to fill the lungs with air. Negative ions promoted breathing comfort and respiratory health. Doctors are watching the Kreuger experiments with great interest It is known that certain weather means the atmosphere is much mpre highly charged than usual with electricity. This "flashpoint” weather comes with certain winds—like the mistral of Southern France and the Chinook of the United States and Canada. It can also stem in other countries from thundery and monsoonal conditions.

The result is headaches, breathing troubles, and frayed tempers. If Dr. Kreuger's work is confirmed on human beings, a big new field of hygiene will open out. In the home or office of the future, ion guns—similar to deodorant sprays—may be essential equipment to restore a healthy balance to the air we breathe. With that, perhaps some of the'sting will be taken out of the wind and weather.