Final answer:
Scurvy is the disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin C, which was commonly diagnosed among sailors with restricted access to vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. This disease leads to symptoms such as bleeding gums, tooth loss, and poor wound healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease that is caused by a deficiency in vitamin C is known as scurvy. Sailors at sea, who had limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, historically suffered from scurvy due to a lack of this vital nutrient. Symptoms of scurvy include a tendency to hemorrhage, swollen and decaying gums, poor dentine formation, tooth loss, delayed wound healing due to deficient collagen formation, and weak bones prone to fractures.
It is essential to differentiate between various deficiency diseases as they are caused by the lack of different vitamins. For instance, rickets is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D and is characterized by improper bone development due to the malabsorption of calcium. Pellagra, associated with niacin deficiency, presents with dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. Beriberi is linked to a deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamine).
Concluding, the final answer to the presented question is B) Scurvy.