ergotism
Quick Summary
Ergotism is a toxic condition caused by consuming grain, grain products like rye bread, or grasses infected with ergot fungus, or from the overuse of ergot-derived drugs. This disease, also known as St. Anthony's Fire, is caused by species of the fungus Claviceps, most commonly C. purpurea infecting rye.12
The fungus destroys the plant's ovaries and forms spur-like, purple-black sclerotia, which contain poisonous alkaloids. When ingested, these can lead to symptoms such as convulsions, hallucinations, miscarriage, dry gangrene, and even death. Historically, ergotism was prevalent in northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Modern grain cleaning has largely eliminated the disease, though it can still occur from contaminated flour or an overdose of ergot-derived medications used in obstetrics and for migraines. There is a theory that ergotism may have contributed to the strange occurrences during the Salem witch trials.23
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ergot…livestock, a condition sometimes called St. Anthony’s Fire. The symptoms may include convulsions, hallucinations, miscarriage, and dry gangrene and may result in death. The disease was prevalent in northern Europe in the Middle Ages, particularly in regions of high rye-bread consumption, but its cause was not
Read More…livestock, a condition sometimes called St. Anthony’s Fire. The symptoms may include convulsions, hallucinations, miscarriage, and dry gangrene and may result in death. The disease was prevalent in northern Europe in the Middle Ages, particularly in regions of high rye-bread consumption, but its cause was not
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rye…or chronic illness known as ergotism.
Read More…or chronic illness known as ergotism.
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fungusParasitism in humans…Claviceps purpurea, the cause of ergotism (also known as St. Anthony’s fire), a disease that was prevalent in northern Europe in the Middle Ages, particularly in regions of high rye-bread consumption. The wind carries the fungal spores of ergot to the flowers of the rye, where the spores germinate, infect…
Read More…Claviceps purpurea, the cause of ergotism (also known as St. Anthony’s fire), a disease that was prevalent in northern Europe in the Middle Ages, particularly in regions of high rye-bread consumption. The wind carries the fungal spores of ergot to the flowers of the rye, where the spores germinate, infect…
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St. Anthony of EgyptAnthony’s fire (or ergotism). The black-robed Hospitallers, ringing small bells as they collected alms, were a common sight in many parts of western Europe. The bells of the Hospitallers, as well as their pigs—allowed by special privilege to run free in medieval streets—became part of the later iconography…
Read MoreAnthony’s fire (or ergotism). The black-robed Hospitallers, ringing small bells as they collected alms, were a common sight in many parts of western Europe. The bells of the Hospitallers, as well as their pigs—allowed by special privilege to run free in medieval streets—became part of the later iconography…
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Salem witch trialsFits and contortions…abuse, delusional psychosis, or convulsive ergotism—the last a disease caused by eating bread or cereal made of rye that has been infected with the fungus ergot, which can elicit vomiting, choking, fits, hallucinations, and the sense of something crawling on one’s skin. (The hallucinogen LSD is a derivative of ergot.)…
Read More…abuse, delusional psychosis, or convulsive ergotism—the last a disease caused by eating bread or cereal made of rye that has been infected with the fungus ergot, which can elicit vomiting, choking, fits, hallucinations, and the sense of something crawling on one’s skin. (The hallucinogen LSD is a derivative of ergot.)…
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