Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Tim Joins ‘No Such Thing As A Fish'
Apr 15, 2022
In this lively discussion, Anna and James, both hosts of 'No Such Thing As A Fish,' join Tim Harford for a romp through quirky trivia and fascinating stories. They delve into the historical oddities of scurvy and the peculiar remedies that were once believed to be effective. The conversation takes whimsical turns, covering the artistry of wood carving and its complexity while also exploring the hilarious, competitive side of nettle consumption. With humor and insights, they paint a vivid picture of intriguing cultural practices and historical absurdities.
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Self-Experiment with Scurvy
- In 1939, Dr. John Crandon experimented on himself with a scurvy-inducing diet.
- After months, his scars reopened, and his skin bled, demonstrating vitamin C's importance.
Scurvy's Delayed Onset
- Scurvy's delayed onset makes it hard to connect to vitamin C deficiency, as symptoms appear weeks or months later.
- This explains why sailors developed scurvy on long voyages.
Centuries of Scurvy Confusion
- Despite early knowledge of citrus as a scurvy cure, confusion persisted for centuries.
- Factors like using limes instead of lemons and vitamin C degradation in storage further complicated the issue.
