Does ergotism still exist?

Question

In 1692, Sarah Good was charged of witchcraft. They later found out that was was caused by ergot. ergot is a disease of rye(wheat or grain) caused by a fungus which replaces the affected grain with a long hard, blackish sclerotal body. This, when ingested, causes people to go crazy... diarrhea, nausea, craming, vomiting and abnormal cardiac rhythms; in severe cases it can cause seizures and gangrene of the limbs.

Answer 1

The grains had to be very old and stale, like when stored whole over a long winter, before the fungus could develop in any quantity on the surface, then it had to be eaten in that state to cause the disease. In our modern world...whole grains are almost all ground up into flours and are not kept in the cold damp moist conditions that allow such fungal growth, nor does it get into the food supply. That's one disease I have only heard about from historical references.

Answer 2

Some molds have been known to produce toxins that are harmful to animals and humans when ingested, inhaled or in contact with the skin. The molds that produce toxins are known as toxigenic molds. The earliest known toxigenic molds, primarily Claviceps purpurea, produce the substance ergot. The ergot molds infect rye, grains and other grasses. Ingestion of ergot contaminated rye or other cereals causes ergotism. There are two types of ergotism recognized clinically: gangrenous and convulsive. Gangrenous ergotism affects the extremities as well as causes gastrointestinal symptoms. Convulsive ergotism affects the nerve system causing brain and spinal lesions, which can lead to death or permanent mental impairment.

Many molds in addition to ergot molds produce secondary toxic metabolites, such as alkaloids, cyclopeptides, and coumarins. Metabolites that can produce adverse health effects (mycotoxicoses) in animals and humans are collectively known as mycotoxins. The latest World Health Organization (WHO) publication on mycotoxins, available in 1990, indicated that there are more than 200 mycotoxins produced by a variety of common molds. Historically, mycotoxins are a problem to farmers and food industries and in Eastern European and third world countries. However, many toxigenic molds, such as Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) and species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, have been found to infest buildings with known indoor air and building-related problems.

Answer 3

Yes. Ergot is still produced by grain fungus, but not in devloped countries, because of the danger known from the fungus. So no worries about having a "witch fit" from your local grocery store bread.

Answer 4

ergot is the origin of lsd, and its ritual use was highly sophisticated in ancient india. the details of this were allegedly destroyed.

Answer 5

Yes, it still exists, and if you enjoy the effects you could wind up in prison.

Answer 6

That would be more believable than witchcraft.