So I had no idea what scurvy was and now I know its a disease bc of the lack of vitamin c and also bc of hygiene problems. Because trade and sea travel was becoming a major part of life, many crew members died because of scurvy. The main reason being that these men liked meat, butter, bread, beer, etc...all of which contained no vitamin C whatsoever. Scurvy become the murderer of the men at sea than any other causes. The fact that most sea ships were crowded and dirty did not help maintain scurvy at rest. This made it easier and faster for it to spread. One man though, James Cook, proved to other people that simple diet of fruits and veggies containing vitamin C, and a little hygiene was the best way to care for scurvy. Who knew a slice of orange could help Cook find the Hawaiian Islands :]----Vanessa R.
Now that Europeans have absolute power over the spice trade and don’t have to agonize about someone else taking over, there was still an enemy on board they had to face with during long and exhausted voyages to new and exotic places. The dangerous substance lurking around the ships was called Scurvy-an ancient disease in which seem untreatable and a myth for many. The disease spread rapidly at sea due to a poor diet, crowded living conditions, and a lack of personal hygiene among the crew. Ascorbic acid molecule was the main cause for the death of many just because of the low income of vitamin C in their daily supplement. There was an actual experiment done by James Lind to demonstrate the effectual treatments for scurvy that were used by some early explorers, but had not yet been proven. Also there was an initial effort to separate and identify the molecule’s structure to learn more about the position this acid takes part in our bodies. Even today there are two main uses of vitamin C: for research and commercial as a food preservative.
Although the age of discovery was full of glory, every glorify moment has its dreadful moments. The trade of spices and long voyages by sea were going great, until scurvy entered the picture. Many people fell in victims to scurvy. Scurvy - a devastating disease caused by a deficiency of the ascorbic acid molecule, dietary vitamin. When scurvy struck a person, many disturbing symptoms were experienced by that person. He/She would fell weakness throughout their body, swelling in various parts of their body, diarrhea, lung and kidney problems, and many other unpleasant symptoms. Most people who became victims to scurvy were people who went for long voyages. On ships fresh food was not available on a regular basis, which made it worse for the people on ships (ships that went for big voyages). Big ships went for trips, that lasted month(s), and the bigger the ship was the bigger the crew. When the crew was big head lice, scabies, and other disturbing contagious disease roamed the ships, and the people within them. Foods and drinks usually taken on board were: butter, cheese, vinegar, bread, dried peas, beer, and rum. As time passed all the foods and drinks would go bad, and the crew would be in jeopardy. In these “big” ships, along with food, water also started to become a problem; water world leak and would be exposed to the other foods, the other foods would turn bad/rotten at a faster paste, then they would originally. Along with these food going bad, none of these foods, and drinks actually provided vitamin C. With no source of vitamin C, on the ship for the crew to take, signs of scurvy would start to show within the crew, a little after six weeks after the ship had left the port. Who would have thought, the medicine to cure early scurvy could be as simple as lemon juice. Lemon juice was the source to cure scurvy, along with to prevent it. Since heat and light destroyed vitamin C, the key to vitamin C was fresh fruit and vegetables, which were are to get on a ship, that goes for trips that last month(s). Vitamin stands for a necessary nitrogen-contained organic compound. If vitamin is a nitrogen compound, why does not vitamin C contain any nitrogen compounds? Why doesn‘t vitamin A? With only vitamins B and H, actually containing a nitrogen compound are the other vitamin named wrong? If not is their a reason they are named that way? Ascorbic acid was a 100% source of vitamin C. If ascorbic acid was found sooner, things could, and maybe would be much different now. Another interesting chapter, I never thought that lemon juice could me a type of medicine. Its just funny when you see these simple things like lemon juice doing something big like, curing someone, from a sickness. Are the vitamin (letter) flawed? That question remained in my head as I read the chapter….if its now flawed, they why doesn’t it make sense? Confusing but fascinating….
Although the age of discovery was full of glory, every glorify moment has its dreadful moments. The trade of spices and long voyages by sea were going great, until scurvy entered the picture. Many people fell in victims to scurvy. Scurvy - a devastating disease caused by a deficiency of the ascorbic acid molecule, dietary vitamin. When scurvy struck a person, many disturbing symptoms were experienced by that person. He/She would fell weakness throughout their body, swelling in various parts of their body, diarrhea, lung and kidney problems, and many other unpleasant symptoms. Most people who became victims to scurvy were people who went for long voyages. On ships fresh food was not available on a regular basis, which made it worse for the people on ships (ships that went for big voyages). Big ships went for trips, that lasted month(s), and the bigger the ship was the bigger the crew. When the crew was big head lice, scabies, and other disturbing contagious disease roamed the ships, and the people within them. Foods and drinks usually taken on board were: butter, cheese, vinegar, bread, dried peas, beer, and rum. As time passed all the foods and drinks would go bad, and the crew would be in jeopardy. In these “big” ships, along with food, water also started to become a problem; water world leak and would be exposed to the other foods, the other foods would turn bad/rotten at a faster paste, then they would originally. Along with these food going bad, none of these foods, and drinks actually provided vitamin C. With no source of vitamin C, on the ship for the crew to take, signs of scurvy would start to show within the crew, a little after six weeks after the ship had left the port. Who would have thought, the medicine to cure early scurvy could be as simple as lemon juice. Lemon juice was the source to cure scurvy, along with to prevent it. Since heat and light destroyed vitamin C, the key to vitamin C was fresh fruit and vegetables, which were are to get on a ship, that goes for trips that last month(s). Vitamin stands for a necessary nitrogen-contained organic compound. If vitamin is a nitrogen compound, why does not vitamin C contain any nitrogen compounds? Why doesn‘t vitamin A? With only vitamins B and H, actually containing a nitrogen compound are the other vitamin named wrong? If not is their a reason they are named that way? Ascorbic acid was a 100% source of vitamin C. If ascorbic acid was found sooner, things could, and maybe would be much different now. Another interesting chapter, I never thought that lemon juice could me a type of medicine. Its just funny when you see these simple things like lemon juice doing something big like, curing someone, from a sickness. Are the vitamin (letter) flawed? That question remained in my head as I read the chapter….if its now flawed, they why doesn’t it make sense? Confusing but fascinating….
I never thought spices were gonna be involved in this chapter for the ship's food supply of salterd beef or pork. They also have the hardtack (flour and water mixture biscuit). The ships have this fear of fire since combustion is very possible (wooden ship) although they persevered to attain huge goals. Scurvy spread before and is a common sickness among these people. Who would've thought that vitamin C, which I'm lazy to take, would be able to save people from scurvy? these acids like in lemons and oranges are a cure to lessen this sickness. Since Vitamin C and ascorbic asid are evident in these expeditions, Cook's crew accomplished a lot like discovering the Hawaiian islands. although most molecules contain Hydrogen, not all vitamins have it. It is also indicated that dogs and cats can produce ascorbic acids but humans cannot anymore. It is unfortunate because us humans would have the trouble looking for the supply while dogs and cats produce it naturally. 60 mg of Vitamin C is the RDA a day but i dont think everyone does that, so it makes me think why scurvy isn;t around. Maybe it's because of development of immunity or whatever, but i can confirm that a small orange can keep you away from such sickness because that small orange can serve as your anti-oxidant and antimicrobial agent.
It was weird how the sailors were in a way happy that their hardtack was infested with weevil since it was easier for them to bite into the biscuits with the holes the weevils made. Even though it’s a weird and interesting fact, I also found it a little disgusting.
Scurvy disease killed more people than naval battles, piracy, shipwrecks, and other illnesses. I think it was just pure ignorance and lack of common sense that they did not do anything about it because preventives and remedies such as citrus juice/vitamin C
Were not hard to obtain and people knew this was an effective cure for scurvy disease, yet they did not use it and a lot of people died.
It was weird how the sailors were in a way happy that their hardtack was infested with weevil since it was easier for them to bite into the biscuits with the holes the weevils made. Even though it’s a weird and interesting fact, I also found it a little disgusting.
Scurvy disease killed more people than naval battles, piracy, shipwrecks, and other illnesses. I think it was just pure ignorance and lack of common sense that they did not do anything about it because preventives and remedies such as citrus juice/vitamin C
Were not hard to obtain and people knew this was an effective cure for scurvy disease, yet they did not use it and a lot of people died.
Chapter two was my favorite! Learning about "scurvy: and its actual definiton was in a way sad yet interesting. It's sad to know that scurvy causes depression, uncured sores and bleeding gums just to name a few. What was also surprising to learn was that it was difficult to keep food from getting dry and moldy, yet the sailors were satisfied with how the hardtack was baked- becoming hard enough , lasting years. What stood out to me the most was the fact that the sailors food (biscuits) had weevil all over them and they seemed to chewable !Becasue of of a good diet the officers of the ships had, they were used to eatign fresh food and vegetables. Such eatign habits helped their immune system from catching scurvy since the vegetables contained vitamin c, the main reason why scurvy develpoed, its lack of vitamin c.The good and cool news was that LEMON JUICE became the solution to the spreading of scurvy! Only 3 tablespoons of lemon juice everyday helped calm down the sick. Last but not least, what i learned was that vitamin C is.."easily destroyed by heat and light and that long-term storage reduces the amount in fruits and vegetables.."
This chapter talks about scurvy, a devastating disease caused by a deficiency of the ascorbic acid molecule.This chapter reports about the death of sailors that were caused by this ancient disease.Another thing that it showed us was that anyone who show some of scurvy's symptoms was dosed with 3 spoons of lemon juice, lemon juice was not only given to those with the symptoms it was also given to prevent and to cure people from scurvy.More deaths acure at the sea than all other causes.Most of the sailors wouldnt take good care when sailing but an explorer that did take care of there sailors was cook. he insisted on maintaining cleanliness throught the ship, everyone was to wash their clothes regularly etc.But one of the main things was to keep frehsh fruit and vegetables or when this was imposible to keep then they had to keep a balanced diet.
This is leland...anlthough I have read little of the book, (as previously stated before), I do remeber the fact that the Sailors back in the day of magellen and de gama would bring citrus fruits to protect them from scurvy. They put it in all their foods and stuff. I never really knew why until i read this chapter of the book. I just though they like the taste of lemon in everything, but it seems that the disease had only one cure at the time..lemon juice.
Scurvy was something that could have been easily avoided with as little as an orange. Since sailors’ officers were stubborn when it came to keeping healthy alternatives on board, many shipmates were malnourished months, even years into sea voyages. Back then, there were few, if any preservation techniques. Therefore, the sailors didn’t have the access to variety and quality of food we have today. They were forced to eat extremely salted meats and hard as brick biscuits. Since one of the many symptoms of scurvy is inflamed gums, sailors affected were glad when weevils infested their biscuit stock which made it way easier for them to chew. Speaking of weevils, sailors’ living conditions were pretty disgusting. They were cramped and it was easy to catch and spread TB, “bloody flux” diarrhea, and a bad case of the blues (misery loves company)…. One example of prevention from scurvy is from Capt. James Lancaster, who gave his crew a swig of lemon juice and no body ended up dying on his boat. His crew consisted of four ships and a bunch of sailors died on the three ships that didn’t have access to the vitamin (in his lemon juice) Sooner or later they learned that prevention was key and the importance of vitamin C. (Now I know why there are cough drops that have added V.C., it is imperative to have the proper nutrients especially when the immune system is @ a vulnerable point when a person is ill….) What I learned about vitamin C is that you can obtain it from numerous sources BUT heat & light easily destroys it over a matter of time. I didn’t know that it doesn’t contain nitrogen even though its name indicates otherwise. What I still don’t understand is why in other countries the daily allowance for Vitamin C varies….I found it crazy how it is even used as a preservative and even “acts as an antimicrobial agent”……
So I had no idea what scurvy was and now I know its a disease bc of the lack of vitamin c and also bc of hygiene problems. Because trade and sea travel was becoming a major part of life, many crew members died because of scurvy. The main reason being that these men liked meat, butter, bread, beer, etc...all of which contained no vitamin C whatsoever. Scurvy become the murderer of the men at sea than any other causes. The fact that most sea ships were crowded and dirty did not help maintain scurvy at rest. This made it easier and faster for it to spread. One man though, James Cook, proved to other people that simple diet of fruits and veggies containing vitamin C, and a little hygiene was the best way to care for scurvy. Who knew a slice of orange could help Cook find the Hawaiian Islands :]----Vanessa R.
ReplyDeleteNow that Europeans have absolute power over the spice trade and don’t have to agonize about someone else taking over, there was still an enemy on board they had to face with during long and exhausted voyages to new and exotic places. The dangerous substance lurking around the ships was called Scurvy-an ancient disease in which seem untreatable and a myth for many. The disease spread rapidly at sea due to a poor diet, crowded living conditions, and a lack of personal hygiene among the crew. Ascorbic acid molecule was the main cause for the death of many just because of the low income of vitamin C in their daily supplement. There was an actual experiment done by James Lind to demonstrate the effectual treatments for scurvy that were used by some early explorers, but had not yet been proven. Also there was an initial effort to separate and identify the molecule’s structure to learn more about the position this acid takes part in our bodies. Even today there are two main uses of vitamin C: for research and commercial as a food preservative.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the age of discovery was full of glory, every glorify moment has its dreadful moments. The trade of spices and long voyages by sea were going great, until scurvy entered the picture. Many people fell in victims to scurvy.
ReplyDeleteScurvy - a devastating disease caused by a deficiency of the ascorbic acid molecule, dietary vitamin.
When scurvy struck a person, many disturbing symptoms were experienced by that person. He/She would fell weakness throughout their body, swelling in various parts of their body, diarrhea, lung and kidney problems, and many other unpleasant symptoms. Most people who became victims to scurvy were people who went for long voyages. On ships fresh food was not available on a regular basis, which made it worse for the people on ships (ships that went for big voyages). Big ships went for trips, that lasted month(s), and the bigger the ship was the bigger the crew. When the crew was big head lice, scabies, and other disturbing contagious disease roamed the ships, and the people within them. Foods and drinks usually taken on board were: butter, cheese, vinegar, bread, dried peas, beer, and rum. As time passed all the foods and drinks would go bad, and the crew would be in jeopardy. In these “big” ships, along with food, water also started to become a problem; water world leak and would be exposed to the other foods, the other foods would turn bad/rotten at a faster paste, then they would originally. Along with these food going bad, none of these foods, and drinks actually provided vitamin C. With no source of vitamin C, on the ship for the crew to take, signs of scurvy would start to show within the crew, a little after six weeks after the ship had left the port. Who would have thought, the medicine to cure early scurvy could be as simple as lemon juice. Lemon juice was the source to cure scurvy, along with to prevent it. Since heat and light destroyed vitamin C, the key to vitamin C was fresh fruit and vegetables, which were are to get on a ship, that goes for trips that last month(s). Vitamin stands for a necessary nitrogen-contained organic compound. If vitamin is a nitrogen compound, why does not vitamin C contain any nitrogen compounds? Why doesn‘t vitamin A? With only vitamins B and H, actually containing a nitrogen compound are the other vitamin named wrong? If not is their a reason they are named that way? Ascorbic acid was a 100% source of vitamin C. If ascorbic acid was found sooner, things could, and maybe would be much different now.
Another interesting chapter, I never thought that lemon juice could me a type of medicine. Its just funny when you see these simple things like lemon juice doing something big like, curing someone, from a sickness. Are the vitamin (letter) flawed? That question remained in my head as I read the chapter….if its now flawed, they why doesn’t it make sense? Confusing but fascinating….
*-*Hamza shah*-* Stated -
ReplyDeleteAlthough the age of discovery was full of glory, every glorify moment has its dreadful moments. The trade of spices and long voyages by sea were going great, until scurvy entered the picture. Many people fell in victims to scurvy.
Scurvy - a devastating disease caused by a deficiency of the ascorbic acid molecule, dietary vitamin. When scurvy struck a person, many disturbing symptoms were experienced by that person. He/She would fell weakness throughout their body, swelling in various parts of their body, diarrhea, lung and kidney problems, and many other unpleasant symptoms. Most people who became victims to scurvy were people who went for long voyages. On ships fresh food was not available on a regular basis, which made it worse for the people on ships (ships that went for big voyages). Big ships went for trips, that lasted month(s), and the bigger the ship was the bigger the crew. When the crew was big head lice, scabies, and other disturbing contagious disease roamed the ships, and the people within them. Foods and drinks usually taken on board were: butter, cheese, vinegar, bread, dried peas, beer, and rum. As time passed all the foods and drinks would go bad, and the crew would be in jeopardy. In these “big” ships, along with food, water also started to become a problem; water world leak and would be exposed to the other foods, the other foods would turn bad/rotten at a faster paste, then they would originally. Along with these food going bad, none of these foods, and drinks actually provided vitamin C. With no source of vitamin C, on the ship for the crew to take, signs of scurvy would start to show within the crew, a little after six weeks after the ship had left the port. Who would have thought, the medicine to cure early scurvy could be as simple as lemon juice. Lemon juice was the source to cure scurvy, along with to prevent it. Since heat and light destroyed vitamin C, the key to vitamin C was fresh fruit and vegetables, which were are to get on a ship, that goes for trips that last month(s). Vitamin stands for a necessary nitrogen-contained organic compound. If vitamin is a nitrogen compound, why does not vitamin C contain any nitrogen compounds? Why doesn‘t vitamin A? With only vitamins B and H, actually containing a nitrogen compound are the other vitamin named wrong? If not is their a reason they are named that way? Ascorbic acid was a 100% source of vitamin C. If ascorbic acid was found sooner, things could, and maybe would be much different now.
Another interesting chapter, I never thought that lemon juice could me a type of medicine. Its just funny when you see these simple things like lemon juice doing something big like, curing someone, from a sickness. Are the vitamin (letter) flawed? That question remained in my head as I read the chapter….if its now flawed, they why doesn’t it make sense? Confusing but fascinating….
I never thought spices were gonna be involved in this chapter for the ship's food supply of salterd beef or pork. They also have the hardtack (flour and water mixture biscuit). The ships have this fear of fire since combustion is very possible (wooden ship) although they persevered to attain huge goals. Scurvy spread before and is a common sickness among these people. Who would've thought that vitamin C, which I'm lazy to take, would be able to save people from scurvy? these acids like in lemons and oranges are a cure to lessen this sickness. Since Vitamin C and ascorbic asid are evident in these expeditions, Cook's crew accomplished a lot like discovering the Hawaiian islands. although most molecules contain Hydrogen, not all vitamins have it. It is also indicated that dogs and cats can produce ascorbic acids but humans cannot anymore. It is unfortunate because us humans would have the trouble looking for the supply while dogs and cats produce it naturally. 60 mg of Vitamin C is the RDA a day but i dont think everyone does that, so it makes me think why scurvy isn;t around. Maybe it's because of development of immunity or whatever, but i can confirm that a small orange can keep you away from such sickness because that small orange can serve as your anti-oxidant and antimicrobial agent.
ReplyDeleteIt was weird how the sailors were in a way happy that their hardtack was infested with weevil since it was easier for them to bite into the biscuits with the holes the weevils made. Even though it’s a weird and interesting fact, I also found it a little disgusting.
ReplyDeleteScurvy disease killed more people than naval battles, piracy, shipwrecks, and other illnesses. I think it was just pure ignorance and lack of common sense that they did not do anything about it because preventives and remedies such as citrus juice/vitamin C
Were not hard to obtain and people knew this was an effective cure for scurvy disease, yet they did not use it and a lot of people died.
It was weird how the sailors were in a way happy that their hardtack was infested with weevil since it was easier for them to bite into the biscuits with the holes the weevils made. Even though it’s a weird and interesting fact, I also found it a little disgusting.
ReplyDeleteScurvy disease killed more people than naval battles, piracy, shipwrecks, and other illnesses. I think it was just pure ignorance and lack of common sense that they did not do anything about it because preventives and remedies such as citrus juice/vitamin C
Were not hard to obtain and people knew this was an effective cure for scurvy disease, yet they did not use it and a lot of people died.
Chapter two was my favorite!
ReplyDeleteLearning about "scurvy: and its actual definiton was in a way sad yet interesting. It's sad to know that scurvy causes depression, uncured sores and bleeding gums just to name a few. What was also surprising to learn was that it was difficult to keep food from getting dry and moldy, yet the sailors were satisfied with how the hardtack was baked- becoming hard enough , lasting years. What stood out to me the most was the fact that the sailors food (biscuits) had weevil all over them and they seemed to chewable !Becasue of of a good diet the officers of the ships had, they were used to eatign fresh food and vegetables. Such eatign habits helped their immune system from catching scurvy since the vegetables contained vitamin c, the main reason why scurvy develpoed, its lack of vitamin c.The good and cool news was that LEMON JUICE became the solution to the spreading of scurvy! Only 3 tablespoons of lemon juice everyday helped calm down the sick. Last but not least, what i learned was that vitamin C is.."easily destroyed by heat and light and that long-term storage reduces the amount in fruits and vegetables.."
This chapter talks about scurvy, a devastating disease caused by a deficiency of the ascorbic acid molecule.This chapter reports about the death of sailors that were caused by this ancient disease.Another thing that it showed us was that anyone who show some of scurvy's symptoms was dosed with 3 spoons of lemon juice, lemon juice was not only given to those with the symptoms it was also given to prevent and to cure people from scurvy.More deaths acure at the sea than all other causes.Most of the sailors wouldnt take good care when sailing but an explorer that did take care of there sailors was cook. he insisted on maintaining cleanliness throught the ship, everyone was to wash their clothes regularly etc.But one of the main things was to keep frehsh fruit and vegetables or when this was imposible to keep then they had to keep a balanced diet.
ReplyDeleteThis is leland...anlthough I have read little of the book, (as previously stated before), I do remeber the fact that the Sailors back in the day of magellen and de gama would bring citrus fruits to protect them from scurvy. They put it in all their foods and stuff. I never really knew why until i read this chapter of the book. I just though they like the taste of lemon in everything, but it seems that the disease had only one cure at the time..lemon juice.
ReplyDeleteChemistry is cool
Scurvy was something that could have been easily avoided with as little as an orange. Since sailors’ officers were stubborn when it came to keeping healthy alternatives on board, many shipmates were malnourished months, even years into sea voyages. Back then, there were few, if any preservation techniques. Therefore, the sailors didn’t have the access to variety and quality of food we have today. They were forced to eat extremely salted meats and hard as brick biscuits. Since one of the many symptoms of scurvy is inflamed gums, sailors affected were glad when weevils infested their biscuit stock which made it way easier for them to chew. Speaking of weevils, sailors’ living conditions were pretty disgusting. They were cramped and it was easy to catch and spread TB, “bloody flux” diarrhea, and a bad case of the blues (misery loves company)…. One example of prevention from scurvy is from Capt. James Lancaster, who gave his crew a swig of lemon juice and no body ended up dying on his boat. His crew consisted of four ships and a bunch of sailors died on the three ships that didn’t have access to the vitamin (in his lemon juice) Sooner or later they learned that prevention was key and the importance of vitamin C. (Now I know why there are cough drops that have added V.C., it is imperative to have the proper nutrients especially when the immune system is @ a vulnerable point when a person is ill….) What I learned about vitamin C is that you can obtain it from numerous sources BUT heat & light easily destroys it over a matter of time. I didn’t know that it doesn’t contain nitrogen even though its name indicates otherwise. What I still don’t understand is why in other countries the daily allowance for Vitamin C varies….I found it crazy how it is even used as a preservative and even “acts as an antimicrobial agent”……
ReplyDelete