An orange a day keeps the doctor away. The use of citrus fruits in the history of medicine

Abstract

Scurvy is a nutritional disorder caused by severe and prolonged deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C): symptoms include mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal signs such as petechiae, bone pain in the lower limbs and gum bleeding. It was once a common disease among sailors and is now thought to be a rare disease limited to underdeveloped regions and refugee populations with limited access to fresh fruit. Many paediatricians have noted its spread, due to inadequate nutrition even in rich countries: the story of how James Lind faced the problem is paradigmatic from several points of view.