Biodiversity Plants

Ergot (St Anthony's Fire)

Some fungi produce chemicals, which, if eaten, will cause strange, and sometimes, deadly effects. One well-known example is the fungus called Ergot. Humans accidentally ate this fungus, because it grew on wheat, which was later made into bread.

A few hundred years ago, in the Middle Ages, a lot of people suffered from the horrible effects of eating the Ergot fungus.

Ergot fungus growing on cock's foot grass
These people suffered from a burning feeling in their arms and legs, which then became swollen and green, then black and rotten.

Often, toes, fingers, and sometimes, whole arms or legs would drop off the unfortunate victim.

They prayed to St.Anthony to cure them of the burning sensation in their limbs, and the other horrible effects of the disease, hence the name, St.Anthony's Fire.

Sometimes, the mind would be affected, and people suffered from strange visions, crazy behaviour and violent fits. In a small area of France, about 1,000 years ago, the Ergot fungus is claimed to have killed 40,000 people, with whole families and villages becoming victims. Many people thought that the disease was sent as a punishment for sin. Some thought that evil spirits possessed the sufferers.

It is possible that Ergot was responsible for the outbreak of "witchcraft" in Salem, in the United States of America in 1692. A mass of people were executed by various means (including being pressed to death, and being burnt at the stake), in an attempt to rid the town of the "evil" spirits thought to be causing fits in 8 young girls. It is probable that the Ergot fungus was the root cause all of this suffering.

	Ergot (St Anthony's Fire)
	Some fungi produce chemicals, which, if eaten, will cause strange, and sometimes, deadly effects. One well-known example is the fungus called Ergot. Humans accidentally ate this fungus, because it grew on wheat, which was later made into bread. A few hundred years ago, in the Middle Ages, a lot of people suffered from the horrible effects of eating the Ergot fungus.
		These people suffered from a burning feeling in their arms and legs, which then became swollen and green, then black and rotten. Often, toes, fingers, and sometimes, whole arms or legs would drop off the unfortunate victim. They prayed to St.Anthony to cure them of the burning sensation in their limbs, and the other horrible effects of the disease, hence the name, St.Anthony's Fire.
	Sometimes, the mind would be affected, and people suffered from strange visions, crazy behaviour and violent fits. In a small area of France, about 1,000 years ago, the Ergot fungus is claimed to have killed 40,000 people, with whole families and villages becoming victims. Many people thought that the disease was sent as a punishment for sin. Some thought that evil spirits possessed the sufferers.
	It is possible that Ergot was responsible for the outbreak of "witchcraft" in Salem, in the United States of America in 1692. A mass of people were executed by various means (including being pressed to death, and being burnt at the stake), in an attempt to rid the town of the "evil" spirits thought to be causing fits in 8 young girls. It is probable that the Ergot fungus was the root cause all of this suffering.