THE INFLUENCE OF THE WEATHER

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 44

THE INFLUENCE OF THE WEATHER

An ingenious theory has lately been elaborated by an American scientific authority on the relation between the weather and the mental and physical capacity for labour. The doctrine oE meteorological psychology is not altogether new. Everyday experiences justify the belief that men's moods are liable to be influenced by the depressing or exhilarating surroundings of the atmosphere. A bright sunny day will send the blood coursing more quickly through the veins, and by promoting cheerfulness will encourage an active man to more arduous exertions. The converse of the proposition is also true, and medical evidence will be able to offer a reasonable explanation in the consequent lowering of the vital force. Dr Orothers, a Connecticut physician, however, is prepared to press this theory to lengths which some may deem to partake of exaggeration. He attributes half the ills which afflict mankind to the Fub'.le influence of atmospheric disturbance? 1 . An epidemic of crime is not to be lightly accounted for by the inherent depravity of human nature, but is traceable by k-jen f ekntiSc insight to the excess of electricity in the air or to the pernicious eftVcts of atmospherio depression. An American ttatistisian has called in figures to his aid, and has sought to establish an exact relaticn between the arrests madß by the Chicago police, and the height of the thermorceter. In this cage, howover, it is the extreme of beat rather than of cold which leads to criminal activity. The hard logic of facts is not altogether in accordance with this view, for suicide, which may be regarded as an unmistakable expression of disgust with one's surroundings is less rather than more frequent in the dreariest seasons of the year. Another argument adduced in support of this new psychological discovery is that the weather is often accountable for mental obscuration aud for a relaxation of physical energy. It is averred that in states of depressing atmosphere greater carelessness exists, that scientific men are often rendered unfitted for accurate work at suoh seasons, and that the produce of meohanioal labour ia lessened or increased

by the conditions of the weather. Assum* ing the facts to be true, of which more con-» vincing evidence is required, it still remains necessary to justify the inference that tbre* direction of the wiud or the character of the ~ sky can be held responsible for all the aberrations of man's nature. , We are not independent of our environment, neither are we altogether it 3 slaves. There are other causes which produce results besides the weather, and, when pressed to such lengths, ,we are disposed to consider that the American theory has no surer foundation than the very doubtful connection between Tenterden Steeple and Goodwin Sands. — Melbourne* Leader.

The Wesleyan Church at Ooehunga was entered by burglars, and rifled, ifc is believed, Jof , several pounds. The church was to have been opened the following Sunday. The alms boxes in the Church of the Sacred Hearb, Ponsonby, were rifled a few days previously.