Ergotism can cause both physical and mental harm, including convulsions, miscarriage, necrosis of digits, hallucinations and death.
12.
In less wealthy countries, ergotism still occurs; an outbreak in Ethiopia occurred in mid-2001 from contaminated barley.
13.
The hypothesis that ergotism could explain cases of bewitchment has been subject to debate and has been criticized by several scholars.
14.
In another interpretation, much of the images relate to ergotism and the forms of treatment at the time of Bosch.
15.
Modern methods of grain cleaning have significantly reduced ergotism as a human disease, however it is still an important veterinary problem.
16.
There have been " occurrence [ s ] of ergotism with periods where there were high incidents of people persecuted for being witches.
17.
There are two forms of ergotism : gangrenous, affecting blood supply to extremities, and convulsive, affecting the central nervous system.
18.
The village in fire is perhaps an allegory of the ergotism plague, or of the saint's alleged capability to quench fires.
19.
However, its abortifacient effects and the danger of ergotism meant that it was only prescribed cautiously, as in the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage.
20.
The background shows, at left, a city on fire, a traditional symbol of the protection granted by Anthony against ergotism and fire.
