Sickness in a cold climate: “There is a wealth of research showing that the arrival of cold weather changes the body’s chemistry and physiology sufficiently to bring about a rise in joint pain, heart attacks, stroke, depression and respiratory illnesses, as well as colds and influenza. Winter brings with it a 20 per cent increase in mortality.

So clear is the link that it has now received official acknowledgement in the UK. The Met Office has established a unit to forecast the nation’s health.” Times UK