The Middlebury Historical Society will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Shepardson Community Center Auditorium, 1172 Whittemore Road in Middlebury.
Following the brief business meeting, Historical Society Vice President Michael Simms III, M.D., will present “Scurvy: Low C on the High Seas.” The program will examine the serious challenges disease posed to the military during the Revolutionary War, with particular attention to scurvy’s impact on sailors in the Continental Navy.
Often associated with long sea voyages, scurvy is caused by a prolonged lack of vitamin C. Its effects could be debilitating, leaving sailors weak, ill and unable to perform their duties. In an era when naval crews faced limited access to fresh food and uncertain supply lines, the disease represented a significant threat—one that could affect the readiness and survival of a ship’s company as surely as conflict at sea.
Dr. Simms brings extensive medical and historical experience to the topic. He is the former Director of Infectious Diseases at St. Mary’s Hospital and previously served as chairman of the hospital’s Department of Medicine. He is also a past president, secretary and treasurer of the Connecticut Infectious Disease Society. A lifelong student of national and local history, Dr. Simms will offer insight into the human realities behind maritime service during the Revolutionary era.
The public is invited to attend both the Annual Meeting and the presentation. Those planning to attend are asked to contact the society in advance at president @middleburyhistoricalsociety.org so organizers can prepare accordingly.
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