disease occurs
most often among the poorly fed, on shore. It is caused by a diet
containing neither fresh vegetables, preserved vegetables, nor
vegetable juices. In the absence of vegetables, limes, lemons,
oranges, or vinegar will prevent the disease. It is also thought that
poisonous substances in the food may occasion scurvy, as tainted meat
has experimentally produced in monkeys a disease resembling it.
Certain conditions, as fatigue, cold, damp quarters, mental depression
and homesickness, favor the development of the disease. It attacks all
ages, but is most severe in the old.

=Symptoms.=--Scurvy begins with general weakness and paleness. The
skin is dry, and has a dirty hue. The gums become swollen, tender,
spongy, and bleed easily, and later they may ulcerate and the teeth
loosen and drop out. The tongue is swollen, and saliva flows freely.
The appetite is poor and chewing painful, and the breath has a bad
odor. The ankles swell, and bluish spots appear on the legs which may
be raised in lumps above the surface. The patient suffers from pain in
the legs, which sometimes become swollen and hard. The blue spots are
also seen on the arms and body, and are due to bleeding under the
skin, and come on the slightest bruising. Occasionally there is
bleeding from the nose and bowels. The joints are often swollen,
tender, and painful. Constipation is rather the rule, but in bad cases
there may be diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, and the victim becomes a
walking skeleton. Mental depression or delirium may be present.

=Treatment.=--Recovery is usually rapid and complete, unless the
disease is far advanced. Soups, fresh milk, beef juice, and lemon or
orange juice may be given at first, when the digestion is weak, and
then green vegetables, as spinach (with vinegar), lettuce, cabbage,
and potatoes. The soreness of the mouth is relieved by a wash
containing one teaspoonful of carbolic acid to the quart of hot water.
This should be used to rinse the mouth several times daily, but must
not be swallowed. Painting the gums with a two per cent solution of
silver nitrate in water, by means of a camel's-hair brush, twice
daily, will also prove serviceable. To act as a tonic, a two-grain
quinine pill and two Blaud's pills of iron may be given three times
daily.

=INFANTILE SCURVY.=--Scurvy occasionally occurs in infants between
twelve and eighteen months of age, and is due to feeding on patent
foods, condensed milk, malted milk