Final answer:
British sailors were suffering from scurvy due to a lack of vitamin C in their diets on extended sea voyages. The Scottish surgeon, James Lind, discovered that citrus fruits could prevent and cure scurvy, leading to a change in naval provisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to historical accounts, British sailors were getting scurvy because their diets lacked fresh fruits and vegetables, especially during long sea voyages. This deficiency led to a lack of vitamin C, which is essential for the body to fight infection and maintain healthy connective tissues, including collagen. Without sufficient vitamin C, sailors developed symptoms such as bleeding gums, joint pain, and poor wound healing.
The Scottish surgeon James Lind conducted an experiment that showed citrus fruits like oranges and lemons could cure and prevent scurvy, prompting the British navy to require ships to carry limes, earning British sailors the nickname 'limeys'.