Scurvy

A decease caused by insufficient intake of Vitamin C.

Symptoms include:

• weakness
• joint pain
• black and blue marks on the skin
• gum disease

Scurvy was one of the limiting factors of marine travel, often killing large numbers of the passengers and crew on long-distance voyages.

The discovery by James Lind of treatment and prevention of scurvy by supplementation of the diet with [citrus fruit]? led directly to the discovery of vitamins.

Links:

• http://www.people.virginia.edu/~rjh9u/vitac.html
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/discovery/bypeople/lind_01.shtml