{"id":4111,"date":"2015-12-10T15:50:09","date_gmt":"2015-12-10T15:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lovesail.com\/ls-news\/?p=4111"},"modified":"2026-02-21T12:23:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T12:23:42","slug":"scurvy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/scurvy\/","title":{"rendered":"Scurvy"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"228\">Scurvy: The Disease That Haunted Sailors<\/h1>\n<h2 data-start=\"230\" data-end=\"248\">What Is Scurvy?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"328\"><strong data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"260\">Scurvy<\/strong> is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"454\">It is characterised by swollen, bleeding gums, fatigue, poor wound healing, and the reopening of previously healed wounds.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"598\">The condition particularly affected poorly nourished sailors until the late 18th century, when an effective remedy was finally adopted at sea.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"600\" data-end=\"603\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"626\">Symptoms of Scurvy<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"705\">Scurvy typically develops after <strong data-start=\"660\" data-end=\"674\">60\u201390 days<\/strong> on a vitamin C\u2013deficient diet.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"725\">Early Symptoms<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"727\" data-end=\"760\">The first signs are often subtle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"786\">Fatigue and lethargy<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"786\">Muscle aches (especially in the legs and abdomen)<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"786\">Joint pain<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"786\">Wounds that fail to heal properly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"895\" data-end=\"919\">Progressive Symptoms<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"947\">As the deficiency worsens:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"951\" data-end=\"996\">Gums begin to swell, bleed, and feel tender<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"951\" data-end=\"996\">Breath becomes foul-smelling<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"951\" data-end=\"996\">Teeth loosen and may eventually fall out<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1095\">Advanced Scurvy<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1097\" data-end=\"1145\">In the later stages, symptoms can become severe:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1156\">Fever<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1156\">Ulcers, particularly on the feet and legs<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1156\">Gangrene in affected tissues<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1156\">Spontaneous haemorrhaging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1267\" data-end=\"1407\">Without treatment, death often occurred due to internal bleeding in the brain or heart, sometimes triggered by even minor physical activity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1409\" data-end=\"1519\">Remarkably, even in the advanced stages, <strong data-start=\"1450\" data-end=\"1518\">a full recovery is possible if vitamin C is administered in time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1521\" data-end=\"1524\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1526\" data-end=\"1563\">The History of Scurvy Through Time<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1565\" data-end=\"1654\">Although commonly associated with sailors, scurvy has affected humans throughout history.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1656\" data-end=\"1866\">Most animals can convert glucose into vitamin C. However, <strong data-start=\"1714\" data-end=\"1769\">humans, some primates, bats, and guinea pigs cannot<\/strong>. We lack the enzyme required for this conversion and must obtain vitamin C from dietary sources.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1868\" data-end=\"2097\">Scurvy likely became more common when humans adopted an agrarian lifestyle. Stored grains provided reliable winter calories but contained little to no vitamin C. Diets heavily reliant on stored grain led to seasonal deficiencies.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2099\" data-end=\"2290\">The earliest known written description of a disease believed to be scurvy appears in the <strong data-start=\"2188\" data-end=\"2222\">Ebers Papyrus (1500 BC, Egypt)<\/strong>, which recommended onions, a source of vitamin C, as a treatment.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2292\" data-end=\"2295\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2325\">Scurvy in the Age of Sail<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2327\" data-end=\"2441\">Scurvy became especially devastating during the 16th century as naval technology advanced and voyages grew longer.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2443\" data-end=\"2597\">Ships could remain at sea for months. Fresh fruit and vegetables spoiled quickly, and once supplies ran out, sailors were left without adequate vitamin C.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2694\">As voyages progressed and fresh provisions disappeared, cases of scurvy increased dramatically.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2696\" data-end=\"2877\">The curative power of citrus fruits was already known in the 15th century. The Portuguese even planted fruit trees on Saint Helena, a key stopover for ships returning from the East.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2879\" data-end=\"3072\">However, poor communication and limited food preservation meant this life-saving knowledge was not consistently applied. Countless sailors died from what was, in reality, a preventable disease.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3074\" data-end=\"3077\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3079\" data-end=\"3121\">Dr James Lind and the Citrus Experiment<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3123\" data-end=\"3251\">In 1739, <strong data-start=\"3132\" data-end=\"3149\">Dr James Lind<\/strong>, a Scottish physician and Royal Navy surgeon, conducted one of the earliest recorded clinical trials.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3253\" data-end=\"3415\">He selected twelve sailors suffering from scurvy and divided them into six pairs. Each pair received a different supplement in addition to their standard rations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"3419\" data-end=\"3430\">Saltwater<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3419\" data-end=\"3430\">CiderVinegar<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3419\" data-end=\"3430\">Various other remedies<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3419\" data-end=\"3430\">Citrus fruits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3499\" data-end=\"3555\">The pair given citrus fruits made a remarkable recovery.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3557\" data-end=\"3632\">Lind had demonstrated that citrus fruits were an effective cure for scurvy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3634\" data-end=\"3823\">However, it took another 40 years before the Admiralty ordered all ships to carry lemon or lime juice. Once implemented, the incidence of scurvy in the Royal Navy dropped to virtually zero.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3825\" data-end=\"3828\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3830\" data-end=\"3856\">Foods High in Vitamin C<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3858\" data-end=\"3958\">Today, scurvy is rare in developed countries because vitamin C is widely available in fresh produce.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3960\" data-end=\"4022\">A medium orange contains approximately <strong data-start=\"3999\" data-end=\"4021\">70 mg of vitamin C<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4024\" data-end=\"4128\">According to the NHS, adults need <strong data-start=\"4058\" data-end=\"4075\">40 mg per day<\/strong>, while US guidelines recommend <strong data-start=\"4107\" data-end=\"4127\">75\u201390 mg per day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4130\" data-end=\"4201\">Here are several foods that contain even more vitamin C than an orange:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"4205\" data-end=\"4246\"><strong data-start=\"4205\" data-end=\"4223\">Chilli peppers<\/strong> \u2013 Half a cup: 107 mg<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4205\" data-end=\"4246\"><strong data-start=\"4249\" data-end=\"4270\">Red sweet peppers<\/strong> \u2013 One cup: 190 mg<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4205\" data-end=\"4246\"><strong data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4301\">Kale<\/strong> \u2013 One cup: 80 mg<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4205\" data-end=\"4246\"><strong data-start=\"4323\" data-end=\"4339\">Strawberries<\/strong> \u2013 One cup: 84 mg<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4205\" data-end=\"4246\"><strong data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4376\">Cauliflower<\/strong> \u2013 One small head: 127 mg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4405\" data-end=\"4482\">A balanced diet with regular fruit and vegetables easily prevents deficiency.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4484\" data-end=\"4487\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4489\" data-end=\"4531\">From Historic Voyages to Modern Sailing<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4533\" data-end=\"4643\">Thankfully, scurvy is now largely a disease of the past, a reminder of how nutrition shaped maritime history.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/limes.jpe\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4114\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/scurvy\/limes\/#main\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/limes.jpe\" data-orig-size=\"284,177\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"limes\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/limes.jpe\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4114\" src=\"http:\/\/lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/limes.jpe\" alt=\"scurvy\" width=\"284\" height=\"177\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Sailing Community<\/h3>\n<p>If you are a sailing enthusiast and looking to find a sailing partner or friends to sail with, come and take a look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\">Lovesail<\/a> community.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9493\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/sailing-word-search\/new-logo-2025-main\/#main\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/new-logo-2025-Main.jpg?fit=300%2C70&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"300,70\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Lovesail logo, sailing dating and social network\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/new-logo-2025-Main.jpg?fit=300%2C70&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9493\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/new-logo-2025-Main.jpg?resize=300%2C70&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"lovesail\" width=\"300\" height=\"70\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scurvy: The Disease That Haunted Sailors What Is Scurvy? Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It is characterised by swollen, bleeding gums, fatigue, poor wound healing, and the reopening of previously healed wounds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6479],"tags":[769,1021,1022,20,1023,768,677,766,1020],"class_list":["post-4111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-discover","tag-fresh-fruit","tag-james-lind","tag-limes","tag-lovesail","tag-oranges","tag-royal-navy","tag-sailing-and-dating","tag-scurvy","tag-vitamin-c"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Scurvy Symptoms and the Sailors Who Suffered at Sea | Lovesail<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is scurvy? 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It is characterised by\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/scurvy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"news\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LoveSail\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-12-10T15:50:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-21T12:23:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lovesail.com\/ls-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/scurvy-e1771676609942.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"512\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Erica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Erica\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Erica\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/6f008703429f2d9a45ff9772c08f272c\"},\"headline\":\"Scurvy\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-12-10T15:50:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-21T12:23:42+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":679,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/scurvy-e1771676609942.png?fit=1024%2C512&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"fresh fruit\",\"james lind\",\"limes\",\"Lovesail\",\"oranges\",\"royal navy\",\"sailing and dating\",\"scurvy\",\"vitamin c\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Discover\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/\",\"name\":\"Scurvy Symptoms and the Sailors Who Suffered at Sea | Lovesail\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/scurvy\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.lovesail.com\\\/ls-news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/scurvy-e1771676609942.png?fit=1024%2C512&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-12-10T15:50:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-21T12:23:42+00:00\",\"description\":\"What is scurvy? 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