The Historical Significance of Scurvy and Its Cure

Scurvy, a debilitating disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, was a major killer of sailors during the Age of Exploration, claiming over two million lives between the 1500s and 1800s. Early treatments for scurvy were often random, influenced by available resources, and included ineffective remedies like urine rinses and garlic mustard seeds. The breakthrough came from James Lind, a ship doctor who conducted the first documented randomized controlled trial (RCT) by dividing scurvy patients into groups and assigning them different treatments. His discovery that citrus fruits effectively cured scurvy revolutionized medical practices and highlighted the importance of systematic testing, ultimately saving countless lives.