Decode the 'self-rotten' disease of seafarers

In the 17th and 18th centuries, a strange disease that long-term seafarers often had was known as a scary killer. Almost half a century later, James Lind - one of the Royal Navy doctors, found a way to cure the disease. What is surprising is that the treatment that helps the scientist conquer this deadly disease is quite simple, which is the substance in citrus fruit.

Strange disease

In the 18th century, what most feared sailors in long sea voyages were were not waves, storms, or mortal battles on the sea but a strange disease. In 1740, a British expedition crossed the Pacific to reach Spain. During the long voyage on the sea, more than 1,300 crew members out of 2,000 died from the disease. According to what was recorded, the disease caused the explorer ship to lose almost all of its crew, beginning with the symptoms of flesh-and-skin destruction, gums gradually rotting . The disease tormented sailors and caused them to die slowly, dying in pain and terrible fear.

Dr. James Lind - The father of the Royal Navy Navy medicine.

At that time, because of the lack of understanding of the cause of the disease, the ship's captain had applied various treatments such as using malt or cabbage melon . while some sailors The team treated itself with a drug called vitriol (a dilute solution of sulfuric acid) and spells to fight the disease. Only a few people survived the long voyage on the sea and got through this strange scary disease.

By 1622, explorer Richard Hawkins noted the use of lemons and oranges on long sea trips to keep the body healthy and prevent many diseases. At that time, he took notes but his knowledge of the effects of oranges, tangerines and lemons was still uncommon until James Lind, who was named the father of Navy medicine. The Royal Family conducted the first clinical trials with vitamin C in citrus and citrus fruits.

James Lind is the son of an English businessman who lives in the city of Edinburgh. He studied medicine and became a doctor working in the city before joining the Royal Navy and became a surgeon in the late 1730s.

He spent many years observing the effects of a strange disease appearing on the arm in humans similar to the symptoms of the disease that appeared on crews in 1940.

In 1747, on board HMS Salisbury, he performed one of the first controlled clinical trials recorded in medical science history. He divided 12 infected men on board into 6 pairs and dealt with each pair of patients with various measures, including: one liter of cider daily; 25 drops of vitriol pills, three times a day; a half liter of seawater a day; nutmeg, mustard seeds, radish, Peruvian aromatic resin, chewing gum . three times a day; two tablespoons of vinegar, three times a day; and finally two oranges and one lemon each day. By the end of the week, patients were treated with oranges and lemons had recovered significantly and were healthy enough to be able to take care of others.

This research by James Linds on HMS Salisbury marked the first human understanding of this strange disease. In 1753, the value from James's records of the strange disease was even more important than the military and Spanish unification efforts.

The manifestation of the disease has tormented the sailors.

And the cause

Most animals can produce vitamin C in their bodies - except humans, monkeys and guinea pigs. In the absence of vitamins, collagen - a protein found in body tissues such as skin cannot be replaced leading to tissue collapse, body damage.

A diet without vitamin C can lead to these symptoms within 4 weeks. Adult patients may experience fatigue, bleeding gums, joint pain, shortness of breath, slow healing wounds and potentially fatal heart problems.

After Dr. Lind found out that vitamin C deficiency led to the crew's strange disease, he was appointed to a doctor position at the Royal Hospital in Haslar, Hampshire, England.

In 1795, a year after Dr. Lind's death, lemon juice was officially included in the list of mandatory food on the Royal Navy ships.

In 1928, the crew was completely conquered by a strange disease caused by vitamin C deficiency and Dr. Lind was remembered as a hero to the naval force because of the great work. In discovering the benefits of vitamin C in repelling a deadly disease, it is the obsession of seafarers.