Ceremonial occasions and mortality: A second look.

Existing and new data on the relation between ceremonial occasions and mortality are examined. Two hypotheses one claiming that there is a dip in the number of deaths before important events and the other claiming that there is a rise in the number of deaths after important events were investigated in relation to three specific types of occasions: birthdays national elections and religious holidays. The meaning and validity of the conclusions drawn from the data are evaluated (EXCERPT)