Another very interesting read on the topic of scurvy is the book "Limeys, The Conquest of Scurvy" by David Harvie. Whilst it concentrates most on the effect of scurvy on the British Navy, it also touches on the effect of scurvy in other populations. The various unsuccessful treatments for scurvy were numerous and included being buried in sand up to your neck and drinking sea water. No mention in this book of taboos regarding scurvy but certainly such taboos did exist around many diseases. With regards the Black Plague I don't think I have read a more comprehensive and chilling book than "The Black Death" by Philip Ziegler.
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