ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page ii ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page iii Under the Weather How the Weather and Climate Affect our Health PAT T H O M A S ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page iv First published in 2004by Fusion Press, a division of Satin Publications Ltd. 101Southwark Street London SE10JF UK [email protected] www.visionpaperbacks.co.uk Publisher: Sheena Dewan © Pat Thomas 2004 The right of Pat Thomas to be identified as the author of the work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: 1-904132-30-8 2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1 Cover and text design by ok?design. Printed and bound in the UK by Mackays of Chatham Ltd, Chatham, Kent. ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page v to weather watchers everywhere ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page vi ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page vii Contents ix Acknowledgements xi Preface 1 1 Chapter The Human Barometer 2 24 Chapter Of Seasons and Cycles 3 42 Chapter The Sun and the Moon 4 63 Chapter When the Wind Blows 5 92 Chapter Stormy Weather 6 109 Chapter Having a Heatwave 7 139 Chapter Winter Chills 8 165 Chapter Artificial Environments 197 References 248 Bibliography 251 Index 258 About the Author ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page viii ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page ix Acknowledgements Although this book started out as a small project, it soon became apparent that there was a wealth of information on the weather/health link buried in various libraries, second-hand bookshops and medical and scientific jour- nals around the world. Many things in my life were put on hold while I ferreted out these titbits. I am indebted to all the usual crowd who have been patient with me over the writing of this book, including (first and foremost) my son Alex. Thanks to Lynne McTaggert and Bryan Hubbard for their tolerance and encouragement, and all my friends whose kind invitations to ‘chill out’ with them I have had to decline while I remained tethered to my computer. My agent Laura Longrigg’s faith is a continu- ing source of strength. Grateful appreciation to all at Fusion Press, including Charlotte Cole, for seeing the potential in this fascinating subject. ix ppi-196 newSingLang 16/5/05 4:05 pm Page x