Scurvy

Scurvy: How a Surgeon, A Mariner, and a Gentleman Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail by Stephen J. Brown Summary: Scurvy took a terrible toll in the Age of Sail, killing more sailors than were lost in all sea battles combined. Finding the cure for the dreaded disease ranks among the greatest of human accomplishments, yet its impact on history has been largely ignored. Now, in this best-selling book, Stephen R. Brown shines a light on how the mystery was solved in a spellbinding tale of ships, sailors, and the age of exploration. Angie's Comments: Be careful to not eat while reading this book – some of the information about life at sea was enough to put me off food. Scurvy is about more than just scurvy; it is about the hard life at sea in the 1700s and 1800s. Through the efforts of James Lind, James Cook, Gilbert Blane, and others, a disease that killed thousands was finally conquered itself. Brown illustrates life at sea and the quest to cure scurvy in detail, showing the false leads and the real answer that took years to discover. There is a lot of detail, and the final chapter shows how treating scurvy changed history. Recommended for readers interested in diseases or sailing.  Request this item