The Curse of Scurvy

Scurvy was most common on long sea voyages. On vasco de gama's expedition to indian 14 99, he lost two men out of every three to scurvy. Magellan suffered even heavier losses as he forged across the pacific in 15 20. A british naval surgeon named james lynde conducted what is now celebrated as one of the first controlled clinical trials. Here's a description of scurvy written 800 years ago. With violent pains in the feet and ankles, their gums become swollen, their teeth loose and useless,. Their hips and shin bones first turned black and putrefied. Finally, an easy and peaceful death like a gentle