Science and Medicine

Ergotism

Ergotism (pronounced UR-gət-iz-əm) is the effect of long-term ergot poisoning, frequently due to the ingestion of the alkaloids produced by the Claviceps purpurea fungus—from the Latin clava "club" or clavus "nail" and -ceps for "head", i.e. the purple club-headed fungus—that infects rye and other cereals, and more recently by the action of a number of ergoline-based drugs. It is also known as ergotoxicosis, ergot poisoning, and Saint Anthony's fire.

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See also

• ▸Antiviral drug
• ▸Bassoon
• ▸Cilium

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