A disease, now rare in developed countries, caused by inadequate vitamin C intake. Scurvy disturbs the production
of collagen, a protein in connective tissue, causing weakness of small blood vessels and poor wound healing.
Haemorrhages may occur anywhere in the body, including the brain.
In the skin, haemorrhages result in bruising.
Bleeding into the gums and loosening of teeth are common.
Bleeding into muscles and joints causes pain.
Scurvy is treated with large doses of vitamin C.
Bleeding stops in 24 hours, healing resumes, and muscle and bone pain quickly disappear.
Scurvy, or scorbitus, is caused by de?ciency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid – see APPENDIX 5: VITAMINS) and is now rarely seen in developed countries except in people on poor diets, such as homeless down-and-outs. Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin derived from citrus fruits, potatoes and green vegetables. Nowadays woody haemorrhagic OEDEMA of the legs is the usual way in which the disease presents. The former classic disease of sailors living on salt beef and biscuits was characterised by bleeding of the gums, loss of teeth, haemorrhage into joints, ANAEMIA, lethargy and DEPRESSION. The introduction of fresh lime juice into the seaman’s diet in 1795 eliminated scurvy in the Royal Navy. Vitamin C is curative.
A deficiency disease due to lack of Vitamin C
n. a disease that is caused by a deficiency of *vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It results from a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet (unlike most animals, humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid and must obtain it from food). The first sign of scurvy is swollen bleeding gums, and a rash of tiny bleeding spots around the hair follicles is characteristic. This may be followed by subcutaneous bleeding and the opening of previously healed wounds. Treatment is by administering vitamin C.
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