The History of Scurvy and Vitamin C by Kenneth J Carpenter

The History of Scurvy and Vitamin C by Kenneth J Carpenter

The first modern survey of the long and fascinating history of the various ideas and theories about the cause of scurvy, the nutritional deficiency disease that has caused (with the exception of famine) the most human suffering in recorded history. Professor Carpenter documents the arguments that led to the numerous theories about the disease and eventually to the isolation and synthesis of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and illustrates how the changing ideas about scurvy reflected the scientific and medical beliefs of different periods in history. The author also examines the modern claims for the use of very high levels of vitamin C to bring about a state of super-health, and he analyses the most important evidence for and against this practice. This fascinating story in the history of science and medicine will be of interest to the historian, scientist and the general reader.

Kenneth Carpenter is Professor Emeritus of Nutrition at the University of California, Berkeley. His books include Protein and Energy (1994) and The History of Scurvy and Vitamin C (1986).

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780521347730
ISBN 10	0521347734
Title	The History of Scurvy and Vitamin C
Author	Kenneth J Carpenter
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	1988-04-29
Number of pages	300
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.