Scottish doctor James Lind (1716-1794) improved hygiene in the British navy. Through one of the earliest medical studies, he found evidence that citrus fruits could fight scurvy, a dangerous illness plaguing sailors.

Even though vitamins weren’t understood yet, Lind recognized scurvy as a major threat. This disease, caused by a lack of vitamin C, weakens connective tissues in the body. In the 1740s, a massive European expedition led by Commodore Anson lost a staggering number of men, mostly to scurvy, highlighting the disease’s deadliness. Lind even believed scurvy caused more deaths in British fleets than enemy attacks.

Lind wasn’t just about citrus fruits. He championed a multi-pronged approach to sailor health. He pushed for better air circulation on ships, cleaner living conditions for the crew, and even disinfecting the lower decks with strong chemicals. Additionally, he saw the value of desalination, proposing methods to turn seawater into drinkable water. In short, his work aimed to prevent illness through improved hygiene and diet.

Say Goodbye to Backaches: Your Guide to Healthy Sitting Habits

Inside, you’ll discover:

The science behind back pain and how prolonged sitting contributes to the problem.

Simple yet effective techniques to improve your posture while sitting, standing, and walking.

Easy-to-follow exercises you can do at your desk or anywhere to strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility.

James Lind’s Early Career

Lind started his medical training in 1731 as an apprentice. In 1739, he joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon’s mate, traveling across the Mediterranean, West Africa, and the West Indies. By 1747, he was a surgeon on a ship patrolling the Bay of Biscay, where he conducted his famous scurvy experiment. Soon after, he left the Navy, completed his medical studies focusing on sexually transmitted diseases, and became a licensed doctor in Edinburgh.

While the idea of citrus fighting scurvy wasn’t new (it was known in some areas for centuries and documented in England since the 1600s by figures like Woodall and Fryer), James Lind’s contribution was groundbreaking. He wasn’t the first to propose citrus as a cure, but he was the first to truly test it through a scientific experiment in 1747. This experiment, with its use of control groups, is considered one of the earliest examples of a controlled clinical trial in history.

James Lind’s Scurvy Experiment

Lind believed scurvy resulted from the body’s decay, treatable with acids. During a voyage when scurvy struck, he divided twelve sick sailors into six pairs. Everyone received the same meals, but each pair got a different supplement: cider, an acidic elixir, vinegar, seawater, oranges and lemons (citrus), or a spicy paste with barley water. The citrus group ran out of fruit after six days, but by then one sailor was healthy and the other showed significant improvement. Notably, only the cider group showed any other benefit.

Lind left the Navy and became a doctor after his experiment. He published a book about scurvy in 1753, but it wasn’t widely adopted. Later, as a hospital chief physician, he influenced Captain Cook’s voyage by recommending various anti-scurvy foods, including citrus (though a less potent form). He also suggested growing watercress on ships, which was implemented. Despite his success with citrus, Lind, like most doctors of the time, didn’t fully understand the root cause of scurvy. He believed in multiple causes and treatments, so he never solely advocated for citrus juice.

Slow Adoption of Citrus Fruits to Fight Scurvy

Despite Lind’s findings, many doctors on land clung to older theories about scurvy and its treatment. Citrus fruits, with their clear benefit, remained unexplained and dismissed as unreliable.

In contrast, naval officers and surgeons, based on experience, saw the power of citrus juices. In 1794, a long voyage with a crew given lime juice ration showed no major scurvy outbreak. This, along with growing support from influential figures who knew of Lind’s work, finally convinced the Admiralty to officially adopt lime juice as a regular part of the sailor’s diet in 1795.

Another tactic involved planting citrus trees in strategic locations to aid resupply during voyages. However, limited supplies initially meant lime juice was only used sparingly at first. It wasn’t until after 1800 that sufficient supplies allowed for wider distribution throughout the fleet.

Say Goodbye to Backaches: Your Guide to Healthy Sitting Habits

Inside, you’ll discover:

The science behind back pain and how prolonged sitting contributes to the problem.

Simple yet effective techniques to improve your posture while sitting, standing, and walking.

Easy-to-follow exercises you can do at your desk or anywhere to strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility.

Recognition James Lind Received

James Lind’s contributions haven’t been forgotten. He’s honored alongside other public health and tropical medicine pioneers on the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine building. Additionally, the University of Edinburgh Medical School has a plaque dedicated to him, funded by grateful citrus growers. The James Lind Alliance itself is named after this influential figure.