SUICIDE AND THE WEATHER. 



607 



their occurrence. If forty per cent, did actually occur under such condi- 

 tions, we should be forced to conclude that fair days were prolific of sui- 

 cide, as indeed they seem to be. This principle was applied to each of 

 the meteorological groups, and the figures show graphically the results. 



For each, the general meteorological condition is indicated at the 

 top; the definite group readings are given in small figures upon the heavy 

 vertical lines which represent the occurrence of suicide for the group. 

 Expectancy for each group is represented by the vertical distance A — B 

 and excess or deficiency graphically shown in percentages of this, which 

 may be read by means of the scale at the left. 



The method of tabulation, by means of which the actual occurrence 

 of suicide for each meteorological group, was determined was similar to 

 that for expectancy, and needs no further explanation. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



Fig. 1. 



Monthly Distribution. — Fig. 1 indicates very wide variation in 

 the number of suicides occurring in the different months of the year — 

 generally speaking, the heated months showing excesses and the cold 

 ones deficiencies when compared with the normal. May and August 

 show the greatest numbers, with the least for February, in spite of the 

 fact that the shortness of the last-named month is taken into considera- 

 tion. 



It may be seen, by an inspection of the figure, that the increase in 

 number for each month from February to August, and the decrease for 

 the other months of the year, would give an almost perfectly regular 

 crescendo-diminuendo to the occurrence curve were it not for the fact 

 that April and May are raised out of their position by unusual excesses. 

 Why April, which in its general weather characteristics is Elysian com- 

 pared with its immediate predecessor, should show one-fourth more sui- 



