need to know about scurvy?

Question

how you contract it and where & when it originate, could a person contract it today?

Answer 1

Scurvy (N.Lat. scorbutus) is a deficiency disease that results from lack of vitamin C, which is required for correct collagen synthesis in humans. The scientific name of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is derived from the latin name of scurvy, scorbutus. Scurvy leads to the formation of liver spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from all mucous membranes. The spots are most abundant on the thighs and legs, and a person with the ailment looks pale, feels depressed, and is partially immobilized.

Scurvy was at one time common among sailors and others who were on ships, whose ships were out to sea longer than perishable fruits and vegetables could be stored and by soldiers who were similarly separated from these foods for extended periods. It was described by Hippocrates (c. 460 BC–c. 380 BC). Its cause and cure has been known in many native cultures since prehistory. For example, in 1536, the French explorer Jacques Cartier, exploring the St. Lawrence River, used the local natives' knowledge to save his men who were dying of scurvy. He boiled the needles of the arbor vitae tree (Eastern White Cedar) to make a tea that was later shown to contain 50 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams. [1] [2]

However it was a Scottish captain in the British Royal Navy, James Lind (1716 – 1794) who first proved it could be treated with citrus fruit in experiments he described in his 1753 book, A Treatise of the Scurvy.

In infants, scurvy is sometimes referred to as Barlow's Disease, named after Sir Thomas Barlow (1845-1945),[3] a British physician who described it. Barlow's disease is different from Barlow's syndrome.

Scurvy is also known as Moeller's disease and Cheadle's disease.

Answer 2

Scurvy is an indicator that there is a lack of vitamin C in the body.

An early indication that one has scurvy is their teeth will hurt. Not a toothache but a general hurting of the teeth and gums. As this leads to other gum in infections you will get bleeding of the gums when biting into something or chewing. Eventually, the teeth and gums go black and the teeth become brittle and break or fall out.

Scurvy was first noted when long distance sailing was undertaken. Mostly, sailors would stay within sight of land and were able to land and get fresh food but as the journeys became longer - months or even years at at time - the sailors relied more heavily on preserved (salted) meats and little or no vegetables or fruits.

The cure for it was first discovered by English sailors when limes were transported back to England from tropical lands. Enough limes were transported that the crew were allowed to have some during the trip. It was then noticed that those that ate the limes were less susceptible to black teeth.

Soon the British navy made it mandatory for all English vessels to carry sufficient limes for the crew so as to avoid this debilitating disease. Thats how British sailors got the nickname "Limeys"

You cannot contract scurvy from someone else, only as a vitamin C deficiency.

Additional: If you get a toothache, try dissolving a vitamin C tablet directly on the tooth. It may take 2 or 3 but it will stop the toothache.

Answer 3

Scurvy is caused by a deficiency in Vitamin C. I don't think there's a record of the first case, since it could have happened to the even the very first humans. Hippocrates (the "father of medicine") described it during his lifetime (460 BC - 380 BC). It's often associated with sailors, because they were on ships for a long time, and without sufficient sources of Vitamin C, they could develop scurvy. And, when they discovered that they needed Vitamin C, they would often take citrus fruits (e.g., limes) on board with them--and that's why some sailors are called "limeys."

Because we still need Vitamin C, yes, people could still contract it today.

Answer 4

Scurvy occurs from a lack of vitamin C. It originates from the first ships where citrus fruit was not available. A person in a 3rd world country could concievably contract scurvy thru a lack of vitamin C although it is highly improbable.

Answer 5

Scurvy is a condition in the body that causes problems with the mind and body and is due to lack f Vitamin C in the body.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scurvy

Answer 6

Sailors used to get this years and years ago from not being clean, and living in a harsh enviornment where they would have to share the same dirty utensils. Therefore, don't worry about it... Arrrr....

Answer 7

Its caused from Vitamin C deficiency... not very common today though... and oranges are the cure! :-)

Answer 8

are you planning on participating in piracy?? GASP!