The use of ergot during childbirth became more mainstream in the 1800s when doctors began to use it to speed up labor, even when there was no risk of complications. They would give whole ergots to people who had stalled labor, using a small dose for a restricted period of time. People noticed that pregnant pigs that ate ergot went into premature labor, which led to midwives using ergots in humans. One of the theories regarding the cause of the illness is ergotism.ĭespite its toxicity, people have historically used ergot as medicine. They imprisoned 150 people from Salem and surrounding towns on suspicion of witchcraft, executing 14 women and five men in total. The local doctor diagnosed the cause of this illness as “bewitchment,” which led the town to start looking for potential witches within the community. In 1692, young girls in Salem, Massachusetts, became ill and began to exhibit unusual symptoms, including: Older research from 1997 suggests that several factors may have played a role, one of which may have been ergot poisoning. This caused people to uncontrollably dance or convulse for days at a time, sometimes resulting in injury or even death.Įxperts are not sure what caused the dancing plague. Dancing plagueįrom the 14–17th century, there were several outbreaks of the so-called “dancing plague” in parts of Europe. Anthony’s Fire, after the order of monks who tried to treat those with the condition.
By summer, the bread could be toxic.Īs people did not know the cause of ergot poisoning, they named it St. After cold or wet winters or damp springs, the fungus could grow on rye from the previous harvest. However, this is one of the main grains that ergot can contaminate. In the Middle Ages, people in Europe relied on rye as a staple food. Ergot poisoning may explain several notable historical events, including: St.
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