Sailor's disease refers to scurvy, a deficiency disease caused by a lack of vitamin C in the diet.
Understanding Scurvy: The Sailor's Scourge
For centuries, scurvy plagued sailors on long voyages, often resulting in significant loss of life. This "sailor's disease" wasn't understood until the link between diet and health became clearer.
Scurvy Explained
Scurvy is a disease resulting from a severe deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the diet. Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a protein vital for the structure of skin, blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Causes of Scurvy
- Vitamin C Deficiency: The primary cause is a prolonged diet lacking in vitamin C-rich foods.
Symptoms of Scurvy
- Early Symptoms: Weakness, fatigue, and sore arms and legs.
- Advanced Symptoms:
- Anemia
- Gum disease and tooth loss
- Skin hemorrhages
- Poor wound healing
Why Sailors?
Long sea voyages meant limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, the primary sources of vitamin C. As mentioned in the reference, scurvy killed "by the shipload, sailors engaged in long voyages" since ancient times.
Prevention and Treatment
- Prevention: Consuming vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges), and certain vegetables.
- Treatment: Vitamin C supplements and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can effectively reverse scurvy.
