How Did James Lind Contribute To Medical Science

James Lind’s scientific and medical work contributed significantly to modern medical science. He was born on October 4, 1716 in Scotland, to Margaret Smelum and James Lind. During his time period, much of the information known today about diseases and illnesses was not yet discovered, and people believed that many of the diseases were God punishing humanity. On top of that, people thought the symptoms of a disease were the disease.
Despite being born into a middle class family, Lind was able to get a proper education. After attending grammar school in Edinburgh, he took a position in 1731 as an apprentice of George Langlands, an Edinburgh physician. In 1739, he entered the British navy as a surgeon’s mate and got promoted to surgeon in 1747. His experience as a part of the British Navy allowed him to make one of his greatest discoveries, finding the cure for scurvy.
When serving as a surgeon on HMS Salisbury, he conducted many
His prior experience working in the field of medicine allowed him to earn his degree in the same year. After graduating, he soon married Isobel Dickie, and over the next few years he published many works. Out of all his works, the two that helped him become a well known naval doctor were A Treatise of the Scurvy and An Essay on the Most Effectual Means of Preserving the Health of Seamen in the Royal Navy which were published in 1753 and 1757, respectively. In the essays, he suggested the best way to distill seawater without the use of chemicals; this helped sailors in attaining proper drinking water at sea. He also explained the best methods to prevent tropical fevers, ways to get fresh water at sea, and other helpful dietary tips, which when adopted by the Royal Navy, helped get rid of scurvy. From 1783 until he died, he worked as a chief physician of the Royal Naval Hospital, and his job was given to his son, John. He died in Gosport on July 13,