The cast of Ergotism - 2008 includes: Jacob Tomuri as Mat David Van Horn as Shotgun
St. Anthony of Padua died of ergotism. Also known as ergot poisoning, ergotism has been suggested as the cause of symptoms formerly attributed to witchcraft.
Ergotism is a disease caused by a fungus called Claviceps purpurea that infects rye. Ingesting rye contaminated with this fungus can lead to symptoms such as hallucinations, convulsions, and gangrene.
Ergotism is a disease caused by eating rye grain (or bread made from it) which has been contaminated by the rye ergot fungus, which contains a small amount of the psycho-active chemical LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). This alters normal brain function, and can cause what looks like insanity or demonic possession.
Theories that the affliction was cause by Ergotism and theories about Encephalitis have been presented but no theory has been proven.
1. The accused were not the ones who went mad. The supposedly bewitched accusers went mad. 2. There is no concrete proof there was any poison, but one theory suggests Ergotism, poisoning from ingesting ergot fungus.
Let's be clear. There were a lot of women involved and only one group was acting erratically, the affliction girls who were doing the accusing. For remembering that we only have theories, I'll give you an imaginary cookie. Ergotism is the illness you get when you eat wheat, rye or barley infested with the Ergot fungus. Ergot is the original source of LSD and Ergotism has the same hallucinagenic affects and can also caused stiffness and temporary paralysis in the limbs therevy explaining the symptoms of the afflictions. The damp fall caused the Ergot to grow on a lot of the wheat and rye and the afflictions started in the winter, when most of what people are eating is made of wheat. Unfortuantely for this theory, the pattern of where the affliction popped up doesn't fit Ergotism. The sporadic bewitchments that occured one or two in a household in many households doesn't work. Ergot would have been ingested by everyone in a house, so entire families would have contracted Ergotism.
botulism, bromism, digitalism, ergotism, fluorosis, hydrargyria, iodism, lead poisoning, listeriosis, mercurialism, phosphorism, plumbism, ptomaine poisoning, salmonella, saturnism, strychninism
St. Vitus Dance, "Chorea sancti viti," also known as Sydenham's Chorea. St. Anthony's Fire, or Ergotism, poisoning by the ergot fungus.
Ergot is actually a specific genus of fungi called Claviceps. The most prominent member of genus Claviceps is Claviceps purpurea. Ergot grows on rye and related plants and produces a powerful hallucinogenic toxin called ergotamine, a precursor to LSD.
We don't know. There are numerous theories including: 1. They lied. 2. Ergotism 3. Fueding between Village and Town 4. Encephalitis
There is speculation that the outbreak of ergotism - a condition caused by consuming rye contaminated with ergot fungus - may have played a role in the Salem witch trials. Ergotism can cause hallucinations, convulsions, and other symptoms that could have been attributed to "witchcraft" during that time. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory and other social, religious, and political factors likely played a larger role in the witch-hunting hysteria.