it is the lack of vitamins.
It can be prevented by eating more fruits
dragons blood
Vitamin C
There are very few reported deaths from scurvy each year, as the condition is rare in developed countries with access to fresh produce. Scurvy is easily prevented and treated with a diet rich in vitamin C.
Lack of fresh food, ie vegetables and fruit, which contained Vitamin C and would have prevented scurvy.
Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, which is essential for collagen synthesis and overall health. The discovery that consuming oranges and lemons, which are rich in vitamin C, could prevent scurvy indicates that the lack of this vital nutrient leads to the disease's symptoms. Therefore, ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin C is crucial for preventing scurvy, particularly in situations where fresh produce is scarce, such as long sea voyages.
scurvy
scurvy
The discovery that fresh fruit (particularly limes) prevented scurvy was important in improving the health of sailors on long distance voyages.
Vitamin C was discovered by a Scottish naval surgeon James Lind discovered that a nutrient (now known to be vitamin C) in citrus foods prevented scurvy in 1747.
Because they found that consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly those rich in Vitamin C prevented the development of Scurvy - limes are rich in Vitamin C
Captain Cook was aware of the importance of certain vitamins in preventing scurvy. He ensured on his voyages that his crew had sauerkraut and lemon syrup, as he believed these contained the necessary vitamins to prevent scurvy - as indeed they do. The vital ingredient was vitamin C.
Scurvy is a condition caused by lack of Vitamin C; it is not a disease.