As a matter of fact, Shipley has argued that the ratio of murders in various cities of the United States is directly related to the prevalence of various alien races, the Mexicans being the chief homicidal offenders (121 murders per 100,000 of the population), followed by the Chinese (65) and the Italians (50.2) ([20]).
The statistics for suicide in [Table VI] are mostly for cities with low smoke density. It is observable, however, that the suicide rates are low in the two worst smoke-offending cities tabulated, viz., St. Louis and Pueblo.
TABLE VI.
Suicide Rates per 100,000 in American Cities From 1900-1909.
(L. L. Hoffman.)
| San Francisco | 52.0 |
| San Diego | 38.5 |
| Hoboken | 35.4 |
| Sacramento | 35.3 |
| Los Angeles | 30.2 |
| Oakland, Cal. | 29.7 |
| St. Louis | 29.7 |
| Seattle | 27.8 |
| Springfield, Ill. | 27.8 |
| Pueblo | 27.7 |
These statistics are in complete agreement with European suicide statistics. The traditional view had it there was an abnormally large percentage of suicides in England and that this was largely due to a cosmic factor—the murky, smoky gloom of Great Britain. Investigation shows, however, that the percentage of suicide in England is less than in any other European country. (See [15], and references in [2].)
For assault and battery, and drunkenness I have been unable to obtain statistics. I believe, however, that we are justified in concluding, from the rather meager facts in our possession, that the devitalizing weather conditions produced by manufacturing cities do not increase misdemeanors and crime. On the contrary, they seem to inhibit rather than incite offenses against the law. From the standpoint of the police courts depleting days seem to be a desirable asset, while bright, tonic, irritating days are an undesirable asset. Granting the truth of this contention, let us not forget the complementary and more important facts presented in the preceding pages; namely, that gloomy, humid, foggy days (such days as are produced by smoke-begrimed skies) lessen vital potential, reduce or retard activity and impair efficiency, while bright, dry, sunshiny days increase the potential reserve, liberate energy, augment working capacity and stimulate ambition. To be sure, an unbroken series of smoky days might prove too stimulating, or at least too monotonous, but the elimination of city smoke will at the most only eliminate the frequent and oppressive smoke-induced weather clouds. Nature will still furnish an ample supply of misty, cloudy and rainy days.
NOTE ON THE INFLUENCE OF CLOUDY AND CLEAR DAYS ON THE INSANE.
Books on psychiatry and several psychopathologists whom I have consulted have very little scientifically established information to offer on the reactions of the insane to divers weather states. The following reply from Dr. Max E. Witte who, as Superintendent of large hospitals, has been in intimate contact with the insane for over a third of a century, is suggestive: “I regret that I am unable to give you anything definitely set down in black and white, and in figures, but there is no question whatsoever, and it is a matter of remark, even to the least observant of our nurses, that the insane are very sensitive to weather conditions, and are particularly disturbed and influenced in an unfavorable way by clouded, overcast weather. Those who are of an excitable, maniacal tendency are more noisy, boisterous, and restless; those who are depressed are more gloomy, and inclined to forebodings, and generally more miserable in feeling than they are during dry and clear weather.