| 18th Century History |
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| Articles and Products of History Vitamin C: 18th Century Scurvy ScareScurvy is a nasty disease. It can turn your skin black, give you ulcers, your teeth can fall out, gum tissue can rot, and it can affect your senses. It can bring personality disorders, night blindness, muscle weakness, bleeding under the skin, and bone problems. Scurvy has afflicted people around the world for centuries. Ships log records give accounts of widespread occurrences of scurvy on the open seas. Soldiers in war are sometimes afflicted with scurvy, as well as explorers. It wasn’t until James Lind, a British physician, singled out a cure for scurvy that this disease has been taken under control. Lind discovered that acidic materials would relieve the symptoms of this disease. He did an experiment with the shipboard diet. To some of his patients he gave a solution of sulfuric acid, to others he gave cider, and to another group he gave sea water. Another pair was given vinegar, while a fifth were given garlic, mustard seed, and gum myrrh. The last group was given two oranges and a lemon each day. The men who ate the citrus fruit improved very quickly. Results were seen within a week. Lind quicky published his results for all the world to see. Sadly, it was nearly 5 decades later before his diet of citrus was adopted aboard ships. Today we know that Lind discovered the benefits of Vitamins. Citrus fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, lemons and limes are excellent sources of this vitamin. Other good sources of Vitamin C are cantaloupe, peppers and strawberries. The recommended daily requirement of Vitamin C is 60 mg for adults. Everyone should follow the advice of Lind and make sure they have an adequate intake of citrus fruit in their diet. Vitamin C can be purchased as a vitamin supplement over the counter at any drug store, as well. Further Reading
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