THE MOON AND OUR MOODS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2102, 13 March 1920, Page 1

THE MOON AND OUR MOODS.

By a Psychologist. * Comment in the newspaper upon a victim of suicide who was affected periodically by the moon suggests an inquiry of great social ua-, portance.

The theory of the influence of the moon upon the bodily organs and functions and the mind and emotions is very ancrent and widespread. Scientific research has proved that the association is not simple conjecture. Wo are all liable to “moonstroke” in a greater or less degree —a fact that promises more fascination in inquiry than all the alleged manifestations of “spiritualists.” The Greeks regarded a full moon as favourable for great enterprises. This belief has a, basis-of physiological truth, because it is now known that the nervous system is influenced by the lunar cycle. Hence there are periods of vital energy when the physical and mental capacity is at its height, and it is then that success may reward our undertakings. The rhythmic law of nature merits much wider study. But we have collected enough evidence to show Unit badv growth in children, body weight in adults, appetite tor food, fitness for work, the recurrence of illness, periodic mental depression, tendency to crime, impulsion to suicide, rise and fall of blood temperature, and falling in love are all influenced bv a mysterious revolution.

These cycles have in many cases a startlingly steady recurrence. The influence may be noted weekly, fortnightly, monthly, in the different seasons of the year,: and annually.® A more general recognition of this periodic law would spare many ot ns ti'afin the worst effects ot recurrent disorders, and prevent us from attempting great tasks in the spells when vitality of body or mind is at its lowest.

There is no doubt Unit the lunar influence is fell by many animals. In the old Anglo-Saxon speech the moon meant “a measurer of lime.” The alternating (manges in bodily chemistry are doubtless experienced by most animals, including mankind, and these changes arc subject to law. Observation in my own ease has made me practically assured of the periodicity of nervous depression. The moods arc wont to occur every 28 to 28 days. This knowledge is valuable in all instances of recurrent maladies, fatigue, irritability, unci delicienl energy, if we can lime, the attacks, we can prepare for them, by hygienic preventive measure's. In (‘Uses of serious illness this forewarning might assist in warding off the periodic attack, or at least in diminishing its severity.

The physical and mental alternations are well marked in chronic invalids and in the insane. In the ease of a sufferer from heart disease with asthmatic symptoms, a careful record was kept of the singularly regular lunar monthly attacks. The cyclic excitement of lunatics has also been studied by physicians, and in one of the investigations it was found that 10 per cent, of men .and 46 per cent, of women in 388 asylum patients had definite periods ot relapse.' The influence of the lunar cycle upon the prevalence of suicide has been observed by several investigators. More cheerful is the evidence that the phase of the moon affects the marriage rate. The rhythm of the aptitude for mental attention is a topic of great significance in tin; conduct of life.