Scurvy is a disease of the connective tissues caused by the lack of vitamin C in the diet. Once common among those on long sea voyages or in isolated areas, it is virtually unknown today. However, it does occur in people whose diets are deliberately deficient in the vitamin, such as those that avoid citrus fruits because of their acidic content, or those on macrobiotic diets.
Once recognized, scurvy is easily treatable by replacing vitamin C. Symptoms usually disappear within minutes and the patient can be discharged within hours.