Scurvy

Scurvy
Scurvy (N.Lat. scorbutus) is a disease resulting from insufficient intake 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 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. In advanced scurvy there are open, suppurating wounds and loss of teeth.
Scurvy was at one time common among sailors, pirates and others aboard ships at sea longer than perishable fruits and vegetables could be stored, and by soldiers similarly separated from these foods for extended periods. It was described by Hippocrates (c. 460 BC–c. 380 BC). Herbal cures for scurvy have been known in many native cultures since prehistory. 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] Suchtreatments were not available aboard ship, where the disease was most common. It was a Scottish surgeon in the British Royal Navy, James Lind 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,[3] a British physician who described it. (N.B. Barlow's disease may also refer to mitral valve prolapse.) Other eponyms include Moeller's disease and Cheadle's disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms include, dark purplish spots on skin; especially the legs, spongy gums; often leading to tooth loss, bleeding from all mucous membranes, pallor, bleeding gums, sunken eyes, opening of healed scars; separation of knitted bone fractures, nosebleeds, non-stopping diarrhea, and nail loss.



Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scurvy