Tag: Sailors

The origins of the word "scurvy" are tied to early linguistic descriptions of its symptoms, primarily the scaly skin and general miserable condition of those afflicted. This is why is it called scurvy, a name that evolved from older Germanic and Norse words to describe the affliction's visible effects.

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, it is estimated that scurvy, the "pirate disease," killed more than 2 million sailors, often decimating entire ship crews during long voyages. This devastating illness was not caused by a curse or poor sanitation, but by a simple lack of a vital nutrient: vitamin C.

During the Age of Sail, scurvy was a terrifying scourge, killing more British sailors than combat. The debilitating disease, caused by a vitamin C deficiency, posed a monumental challenge for explorers and navies, forcing them to find a solution to the critical question: **What did they eat to prevent scurvy?**

Did you know that scurvy killed more than 2 million sailors between the 16th and 18th centuries alone? From historical epidemics at sea to modern diagnoses, the question of **who got scurvy the most?** has a complex answer that reveals much about human nutrition and social vulnerabilities.

During the Age of Exploration, scurvy killed an estimated two million sailors between the 16th and 18th centuries, making its historical death toll staggering. Understanding **how many died of scurvy** in the past highlights the critical importance of a balanced nutrition diet for health and survival. In fact, for centuries, it was a greater threat to sailors than warfare, storms, or other diseases combined.