China yesterday entered its dog days, the hot and sultry period of summer between early July and mid-August.

The period starts 20 days from the Summer Solstice, one of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar, and usually runs for 30 days.

However, Chinese almanacs extends this year's dog days to 40 days, placing the beginning on July 11 and the ending on August 19, according to Chen Tingliang, senior engineer of Beijing Observatory.

A fast increase in temperature and humidity feature largely in the dog days.

Some people suffer from loss of appetite and weight loss during this period.

Cheng Lirong, a nurse from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, suggested that people do not put their air-conditioners on too low a temperature.

"It is difficult for people, with children and the elderly in particular, to adjust to a big difference in temperature," Cheng said.

Both Chen and Cheng urged senior citizens and patients of cardio-vascular disease to take more rest during this period.

( China Daily July 12, 2002)