On May 20, 1747, James Lind of the British Royal Navy started his famous scurvy clinical trial. In 1853, Lind published “A Treatise on the Scurvy” in which he hypothesized that the acidic juices of citrus fruit can treat and prevent the condition.

Today, we know that scurvy is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the diet. It can lead to various symptoms, including weakness, gum disease, poor wound healing, and skin hemorrhages. While rare in the United States, it can affect individuals, particularly older adults, who are not getting adequate nutrition.

Lind’s clinical trial laid the foundation for modern clinical research.