Talk:Ergotism

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Is it possible to aquire this disease by the use of ergot's derivatives, namely LSD-25 or LSA?

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No. The LSA is simply an alkaloid of the bacteria, whereas the other symptoms (either convulsive or gangrenous) are caused by other chemicals or processes within the bacterium.

I changed "nobody went to the stake" to "nobody went to the gallows", as witchcraft in New England was not punished by burning (as in continental Europe) but by hanging (as in England).

I wonder if somebody tries to make beer (fermented) or whisky/rye/vodka (distilled) with infected grains... will the toxins be present in the alcohol in noticeable amounts, leading to ergotism? Hugo Dufort 06:05, 30 September 2006 (UTC)

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What is the cause of vasoconstriction in ergotism? Is it a build up of cholesterol, catecholamines, or some other form of arterial disruption?

It is an alkaloid of the ergoline family. Hugo Dufort 12:48, 20 November 2006 (UTC)