History Dog days

the rising of sirius during period has been calculated 19 july (julian). writing same time, hesiod, however, considered worst , hottest part of summer days before sirius returned night sky. during period, sirius invisible earth apparently understood still in sky, augmenting power of sun:

trees , grass on crete dried out august heat

this effect of combination of sirius light sun s understood have effect on plants, animals, , women, men:

about century later, alcaeus repeated theme, advising listeners steep lungs in wine before arrival of star since women @ foulest men weak since parched in head , knees . in 3rd century, aratus phenomena describes time sirius blighting bark of trees heat during time rises , sets sun.

the kean priests of zeus rainmaker , lord of moisture observed annual sacrifices before rise of sirius prevent scorching drought. practice credited culture hero aristaeus. aristotle mentions proverbial heat of dog days part of argument against formulation of evolution in physics.

a 9th-century astronomical manuscript, including illustration of constellation sirius

the romans continued blame sirius heat of season , attendant lethargy , diseases. in georgics, vergil notes vintners efforts protect work during time when dog-star cleaves thirsty ground . seneca s oedipus complains of scorching dog-star s fires . pliny s natural history notes increase in attacks dogs during july , august, , advises feeding them chicken manure curb tendency. in 20th century, historians still noted discouraging heat , oppression of dog days of roman summer.

the period has long featured in western medicine. 1564 english hope of health counseled purging (bloodletting , induced vomiting) should avoided during dogge daies of summer because sunne in leo , nature burnt vp & made weake . 1729 british husbandman s practice claimed heat of sun violent men s bodies @ midnight sweat @ midday: , if hurt, more sick @ other time, yea near dead . therefore advised men abstain time women , take heed of feeding violently . in 1813 clavis calendria, dog days time wherein sea boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, quinto raged anger, , other creatures became languid; causing man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, , phrensies .

popular alleviations of dog days in hotter new-york in 1904, including children piled public fountain when cop not looking .

even after astrology , influence on health , agriculture waned in importance, dog days continues vaguely applied hottest days of summer, attendant effects on nature , society. in north america, became proverbial among farmers dry growing season through dog days preferable trouble of wet one:

because july typically 1 of quietest months of year stock trading , term used lethargic summer markets.