Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail
$2.01
Description
Book Synopsis: Scurvy took a terrible toll in the Age of Sail, killing more sailors than were lost in all sea battles combined. The threat of the disease kept ships close to home and doomed those vessels that ventured too far from port. The willful ignorance of the royal medical elite, who endorsed ludicrous medical theories based on speculative research while ignoring the life-saving properties of citrus fruit, cost tens of thousands of lives and altered the course of many battles at sea. The cure for scurvy ranks among the greatest of human accomplishments, yet its impact on history has, until now, been largely ignored. From the earliest recorded appearance of the disease in the sixteenth century, to the eighteenth century, where a man had only half a chance of surviving the scourge, to the early nineteenth century, when the British conquered scurvy and successfully blockaded the French and defeated Napoleon, Scurvy is a medical detective story for the ages, the fascinating true story of how James Lind (the surgeon), James Cook (the mariner), and Gilbert Blane (the gentleman) worked separately to eliminate the dreaded affliction. Scurvy is an evocative journey back to the era of wooden ships and sails, when the disease infiltrated every aspect of seafaring life: press gangs "recruit" mariners on the way home from a late night at the pub; a terrible voyage in search of riches ends with a hobbled fleet and half the crew heaved overboard; Cook majestically travels the South Seas but suffers an unimaginable fate. Brimming with tales of ships, sailors, and baffling bureaucracy, Scurvy is a rare mix of compelling history and classic adventure story.
Details
Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey into the mysteries of the Age of Sail? Discover the captivating tale of "Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail." This gripping book will transport you back in time, unravelling the secrets of scurvy and its devastating impact on seafaring life. Prepare to be enthralled as you delve into the world of wooden ships, heroic voyages, and the courageous individuals who fought to conquer this deadly disease.
Immerse yourself in the thrilling account of how scurvy claimed more lives than the fiercest sea battles combined. Witness the tragedy that unfolded when ships ventured too far from port, only to be consumed by this relentless affliction. Be appalled by the ignorance of the royal medical elite, whose refusal to acknowledge the healing qualities of citrus fruit resulted in the unnecessary loss of tens of thousands of lives. As you read, you'll be astounded by the incredible tale of triumph over adversity and the lasting impact it had on history.
In "Scurvy" you will be introduced to the heroic figures of James Lind, James Cook, and Gilbert Blane. These remarkable men, each contributing in their own unique way, fought relentlessly to eradicate this dreaded disease. Explore their individual journeys and discover how their combined efforts forever changed the course of naval battles and facilitated the exploration of uncharted territories.
This is not just a history lesson; it's a gripping medical detective story that will capture your imagination. With its meticulously researched details and vivid storytelling, "Scurvy" will transport you to a time when the disease infiltrated every aspect of seafaring life. Picture the press gangs luring unsuspecting mariners from pubs, the crippled fleets struggling to survive, and the majestic travels of James Cook taking an unimaginable turn.
Unlock the secrets of the past and experience the adventure firsthand with "Scurvy". Join us on this thrilling voyage by picking up your copy today and uncover the astounding tale of how the cure for scurvy forever shaped history.
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