Clinical trials in the world of research are vitally important in testing new treatment options for diseases without a known cure. When I started learning about research, I thought clinical research was a fairly new and unexplored field. To my surprise, I was WRONG!
The first ever clinical trial was conducted in the year 1747 by James Lind, a Scottish surgeon working with the Royal Navy. Dr. Lind observed a lot of the sailors’ contracting a disease called “scurvy” while serving on the ship.
[Scurvy occurs due to the lack of vitamin C]
Dr. Lind’s hypothesis was as follows: “Scurvy could be prevented with acids”. He designed his clinical trial, which was carried out on the ship, as follows:
- Group 1 – 2 men, oranges and lemons (citric acid)
- Group 2 – 2 men, cider
- Group 3 – 2 men, diluted sulfuric acid
- Group 4 – 2 men, vinegar
- Group 5 – 2 men, sea water
- Group 6 – 2 men, garlic, mustard, horseradish mixture
All of the 12 subjects diagnosed with scurvy were in similar environments on the ship and had consistent diets.
Dr. Lind observed rapid improvements in the 2 men who consumed oranges and lemons along with the standard diet.
It was not until 50 years after Dr. Lind’s clinical trial success, that a law was passed to include citrus fruits in the sailor’s diet. It was because of Dr. Lind’s clinical trial contribution that the British were able to establish dominance over the seas.
Researchers today, might read this and identify many fallacies in Dr. Lind’s design, however the reason behind my writing this, is the hope to provide encouragement to continue developing clinical trials that might help the humankind eventually.
