What disease, caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, is characterized by bleeding gums and extreme weakness?

The debilitating condition characterized by severe weakness, joint pain, and famously, bleeding and swollen gums, is a direct result of a prolonged lack of vitamin C. This essential nutrient, also known as ascorbic acid, plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions, particularly in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is a vital protein that forms connective tissue throughout the body, providing structure to skin, blood vessels, bones, and gums. Without sufficient vitamin C, the body cannot produce healthy collagen, leading to the breakdown of these tissues and the distinctive symptoms observed.

Historically, this disease was a scourge of long sea voyages, devastating crews who spent months or even years without access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Explorers and sailors frequently succumbed to its effects, with some estimates suggesting it caused more deaths than all other diseases, shipwrecks, and battles combined during the Age of Sail. Early observations, such as those made by the British Royal Navy physician James Lind in the mid-18th century, demonstrated that citrus fruits like oranges and lemons could effectively prevent and cure the ailment.

Lind's groundbreaking controlled experiment, often considered one of the first clinical trials, conclusively proved the efficacy of citrus. It took some time for this knowledge to be widely adopted, but eventually, the British Navy mandated daily rations of lime juice for its sailors, earning them the nickname "limeys." While largely eradicated in developed countries due to widespread availability of vitamin C-rich foods and supplements, cases can still emerge in populations with limited access to nutrition or those on highly restricted diets, reminding us of the critical importance of a balanced intake of essential vitamins.