Scurvy – Historical Background and Prevention

[CharlesHarris]

Scurvy – Historical Background and Prevention
http://leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/658/Mayberry.html

ABSTRACT:

Scurvy killed more sailors than all battles, storms and other diseases combined from the 16th to 18th centuries. This paper has given a medical examination of the necessity of vitamin C, an explanation of the physical progression of scurvy, described the effects of scurvy throughout history, and outlined the pursuit of a cure and eventual elimination of scurvy. Today, scurvy is a rare disease that is entirely preventable. Thanks to the efforts of a number of pioneering researchers, we now better understand the importance of diet and necessity of vital nutrients.

Interesting facts:

…. between the years of 1500 and 1800, scurvy was the leading cause of naval death, killing more sailors than all other diseases, disasters, and battles combined.[173] During the Seven Years’ War for example, Britain records indicate that 184,899 sailors were in service.[174] Of those, 133,708 died from disease (largely from scurvy) and only 1,512 died in combat.[175] These numbers illustrate the enormous toll scurvy took on the navies of Europe, killing orders of magnitude more men than battle.

The American Civil War illustrated….that scurvy was land as well as a sea problem. Prior to the Civil War, scurvy was the most common disease in the U.S. Army.[231] For a country whose borders and army were ever increasing, cost, perishability, and logistics of supplying a proper diet to troops in the wilderness proved almost impossible.[232]

….Scurvy also had secondary health effects….. Since scurvy effects the healing of wounds, the disease led to increased mortality rates for those wounded in combat.[241] In spite of bettering medical techniques and medical supplies, the portion of battlefield wounded who died continually increased throughout the war.[242] This increase in death rates for the wounded almost exactly mirrored the increases in scurvy rates recorded.[243]

….After a scurvy outbreak among Union troops during the Peninsula campaign of 1862, the public became aware of the disease and the general problem of proper nutrition in the armies.[252] Civilian groups began organizing event and food drives to support troops at the front.[253] The primary focus of these efforts was to collect potatoes and onions, both moderate suppliers of vitamin C.[254] At this point, citrus was known to be the best source of vitamin C, but oranges, lemons, and limes spoiled to quickly to be of much use if sent to distant troops.[255] one sign posted in Chicago read “Don’t send your sweetheart a love-letter. Send him an onion.”[258]

Most cases in the United States occur in poor urban populations, alcoholics and the elderly.[108] Individuals who smoke or have illnesses such as cancer or renal failure are also prone to scurvy.[109] Today, elderly poor men develop vitamin C deficiencies more than any other group.[110] In fact, as many as 20% of poor, elderly men may have low amounts of vitamin C in their system, although actual scurvy rates are much lower.[111] Even in elderly, poor men, the rates of vitamin C deficiency are highest among those who are confined to their homes, chronically sick, or institutionalized.[112] Overall, scurvy is extremely rare in developed countries due to improved diets and vitamin supplementation.[113] However, cases still occur and medical personnel must be prepared to diagnose and treat this once deadly disease.