Scurvy

I thought the book was an excellent walk thru an insidious disease which ran rampant for the better part of 300 yrs. which the book traces mostly through naval history of European countries heavily dependent on the sea for commerce.

During the Age of Sail from the time of Columbus to the steam era of the mid 19th century, scurvy was the biggest killer of men at sea, being responsible for more deaths than storms, ship wrecks, combat, and all other diseases combined. It presented a slow and agonizing death to those afflicted.

The Age of Exploration brought spices, slaves, gold, opportunities and a ravaging illness. With voyagers running before the wind to India, the Western Hemisphere and Australia, sailors that once hugged shorelines were now sent vast distances.