Abstract:In a 64‐bed geriatric unit, 4 cases of vitamin‐C deficiency were found. The patients manifested anaemia (chiefly normocytic), multiple bruises and intense tibial tenderness; the results of Hess's capillary fragility test were positive. The diagnosis was confirmed by the urinary ascorbic‐acid saturation test. One of the patients also had folic‐acid deficiency. The relation between the two conditions is discussed. All the signs of vitamin‐C deficiency cleared up quickly during treatment with ascorbic acid, although the urinary test indicated that it took three weeks for the saturation point to be reached.These results emphasize the importance of a full clinical examination for elderly patients. Vitamin‐C deficiency, if unrecognized, can defeat efforts at rehabilitation because the intense tibial pain (preventing ambulation) and the weakness due to anaemia usually keep the pati