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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

Scurvy is a chronic deficiency disease of vitamin C, which is necessary for normal collagen formation in humans. L-ascorbic acid, the scientific name for vitamin c, is derived from the Latin name, scorbutus. Early symptoms of this disease are fatigue, weakness, and sore arms and legs. Without treatment, changes in hair, skin, and gums occur. As scurvy worsens there can be personality changes, poor wound healing and ultimately leading to death due to bleeding or infection. Previously, this disease was common among pirates, sailors, and all others who were separated from the resources of vitamin c e.g. fruits and vegetables for extended periods. It takes a month with low or no vitamin c to cause symptoms. In infants, scurvy is sometimes referred to as Barlow's disease, named after Sir Thomas Barlow (1845–1945), a British physician who described it. Other eponyms include Moeller's disease and Cheadle's disease.