ASCORBIC acid, originally called vitamin C, is required for human health.¹ In human beings deprived of ascorbic acid, the deficiency disease scurvy develops and can be life threatening. Although a disease remarkably similar to scurvy was described by the ancient Egyptians,^{2 , 3} it was not until 1753 that a Scottish physician, James Lind, systematically described scurvy and its prevention by dietary means.⁴ Even then, the dietary requirements were controversial. For four decades the British navy refused to accept Lind's findings, and countless sailors continued to die unnecessarily from scurvy until lemon juice was finally included in sailors' rations.

Research since Lind's . . .