But at the time, no scientist had connected those black seed grains with ergotism. |
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One of the main illnesses treated at the hospital was ergotism, a disease caused by ergot, a fungus that grows especially on rye. |
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A related genus, Claviceps, includes C. purpurea, the cause of ergot of rye and ergotism in humans and domestic animals. |
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The fungus, however, had disastrous side effects, called ergotism, also known as St. Anthony's fire. |
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Risk of ergotism is increased with chronic daily use, and rare fibrotic complications are associated with prolonged chronic use. |
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Whether rye grain was to blame for the witch trial hysteria or not, the last recorded case in Europe was in 1954 and the chances of an ergotism outbreak in the developed world are now next to zero. |
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