The following is a hypothetical discussion between James Lind and the British Navy sometime after 1742:
British Navy: Thousands of our sailors are dying of disease. What should we do?
Dr. Lind: I know.
British Navy: You do?
Dr. Lind: Yes.
British Navy: Withholding crucial, life-saving information?! That's treason! Why haven't you said anything?
Dr. Lind: I have. No one listened.
British Navy: Why didn't anyone listen?
Dr. Lind: Because the cure sounds silly.
British Navy: That doesn't sound like a very good reason. What is the cure?
Dr. Lind: Lemons and limes.
British Navy: That's silly. Go away.
Dr. Lind: See.
British Navy: Go home. We don't believe you.
Dr. Lind: You should.
British Navy: Why?
Dr. Lind: Because I'm right.
British Navy: And what gives you such confidence.
Dr. Lind: Study of history, scientific experiments and empirical evidence.
British Navy: No one would believe me if I told them this. Unacceptable.
Dr. Lind: That's not my problem. I won't get scurvy.
British Navy: Okay, say you're right. You know no one will ever believe you. How dare you risk your own reputation by proposing something so absurd?
Dr. Lind: Because my reputation is not mired in politics, ego, greed, or any influence other than honest discovery through empirical evidence and natural law.
British Navy: Are you suggesting we, the British Navy, are rejecting natural law and evidence?
Dr. Lind: That is what I am suggesting.
British Navy: And therefore you accuse us of killing soldiers by not hauling fruit on our ships?
Dr. Lind: I didn't say that.
British Navy: How dare you accuse the entire British Navy of mass murder?
Dr. Lind: I am not one to accuse, and I would not. Although, it is true that you are rejecting a simple cure to a disease that is killing thousands.
British Navy: No one will take us seriously if we haul lemons and limes on our ships. It would make us look superstitious and weak. Like we are all afraid of scurvy or something. Well, let me be the first to say that we can hack it without your silly limes. Besides, we need that space for all the cannon balls.
Dr. Lind: I cannot force you to believe me, of course, or act. But I am also not persuaded by arrogance, ignorance, pride, vanity, or other factors. If you choose to reject my discovery and do nothing I can only observe and learn more about this particular evil in human nature.
British Navy: You accuse the British Navy of evil? Of being the enemy?
Dr. Lind: No, the enemy is pride, ignorance, arrogance, ego, and prejudice.
British Navy: Kind of like those froggy French bastards. I see what you mean.
Dr. Lind: Not really. Human nature is more complicated. I am only a scientist.
British Navy: You are sympathetic to the French?
Dr. Lind: I didn't say that.
British Navy: Go home before I call the guards.
Dr. Lind: Yes sir.
The British Navy began carrying limes on ships 62 years later.
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