Although I contest the mentioning in Berlin at War that the mood in Berlin began to deteriorate in 1943–I fully believe that many experienced a decrease in their mood far before this because of the rationing restrictions and the infrequent air raids that had already occurred–the decreease in mood in 1943 because of sickness is a viable and interesting idea. Not only did Berliners have to put up with increasing lack of nourishment from rationing but they were more and more fatigued on a daily basis as air raids increased in intensity and kept them from their beds. From these two overarching symptoms as well as a decreasing supply of medical equipment because of increased demand, other more serious health concerns evolved including influenza, dysentery, and scarlet fever. I found the list of maladies affecting Berliners in the end of the war mentioned in Moorhouse’s book a little bit lacking for the size and diversity of the population. So, I found more that could have been reoccuring throughout the city.
Tuberculosis
Mobile disability
Respiratory diseases–pneumonia
Hepatitis
Fungus-based diseases from contaminated water supplies
Scurvy
Thus list is obviously incomplete. But it does bring together what I believe Moorhouse was attempting to hint at: the numerous kinds if disease combined with continued high stress and general lack of medicine and sanitary conditions helped to convert Berliners from almost apethy to pessimism leading into the end of the war.