Audrey+K

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Ergotism and Humans

 * Ergot Poisoning was rampant during the Middle Ages due to the constant consumption of infected grain.
 * The symptoms would usually vary in people that suffered Chronic Ergotism.
 * In the Middle Ages it became known as //'ignis sacer' //(Holy Fire) and St. Anthony's Fire.
 * The disease caused constriction of blood vessels, which caused some extremities to die and fall off.
 * One of the more recent cases of Ergotism was in 1951 in a small French village.
 * Ergotism had major influences on history; it started the Salem Witch Trials and the hunt for 'werewolves' in the 1800s.
 * A chemical in Ergot, Ergotamine, is used as a treatment for migraines today.

Symptoms of Ergot Poisoning in Humans

 * Symptoms occur spontaneously; there are no set stages.
 * immense sweating
 * increases and decreases in body temperature
 * pain in the lower abdomen
 * hallucinations and delirium
 * convulsions and muscle spasms
 * insomnia
 * gangrene
 * nervous system disorders
 * spontaneous abortions occur
 * death

Ergotism and Animals

 * Out of all domestic animals cows seem to be the most susceptible.
 * There are four forms of Ergotism in animals:
 * 1) Convulsions
 * 2) Gangrene
 * 3) Hypothermia (affects cows only)
 * 4) Agalactia (a form that stops cattle from producing milk)

Symptoms and stages in Animals

 * Symptoms of Convulsive Ergotism include hyper-excitability, belligerence, ataxia (staggering), lying down, convulsions and back arching.
 * Symptoms of Gangrenous Ergotism start in the hind legs where lameness occurs (after about 2-6 weeks of ingesting contaminated grain), pain, stamping of feet, and coolness of the affected areas.
 * If grain is still consumed feelings of pain will stop and indented lines between infected tissue and normal tissue will appear.
 * Limbs are then sometimes lost.
 * spontaneous abortions can occur and milk production stops.
 * Death occurs when animal is constantly fed infected grains.

Treatment for Humans and animals

 * There aren't any medications that get rid of the disease.
 * Victims (both people and animals) have to eat other foods; no more infected grains, and have to wait out the disease.
 * Sometimes pain pills can be given to ease suffering.
 * In animals Gangrenous tissue cannot be removed or treated.

Prevention

 * A solution of about 30% potassium chloride is poured over grain, and the Ergot infected grain floats to the top where it is skimmed off.
 * Crops are rotated and fields are plowed deeply to prevent germination of the fungus.
 * Even with these precautionary measures traces of Ergot has been found in some foods, and proven to be toxic.