ergotism

er·got·ism

E0197500 (ûr′gə-tĭz′əm)n. Poisoning caused by consuming ergot-infected grain or grain products, or from excessive use of drugs containing ergot.

ergotism

(ˈɜːɡəˌtɪzəm) n (Pathology) ergot poisoning, producing either burning pains and eventually gangrene in the limbs or itching skin and convulsions. Also called: Saint Anthony's fire

er•got•ism

(ˈɜr gəˌtɪz əm)

n. poisoning from excessive medication with ergot or from eating grain contaminated with ergot fungus. [1850–55]

ergotism

a condition caused by eating rye or some other grain infected with ergot fungus or by an overdose of an ergot medicinal agent.See also: Poison

the practice or habit of quibbling and wrangling; sophistical reasoning. — ergotize, v.See also: Argumentation

Thesaurus

Noun

ergotism - poisoning by ingestion of ergot-infected grain products; characterized by thirst and diarrhea and nausea and cramping and vomiting and abnormal cardiac rhythms; in severe cases it can cause seizures and gangrene of the limbsintoxication, poisoning, toxic condition - the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance

Translations

Ergotismusergotismo

Ergotism

ergotism

[′ər·gə‚tiz·əm] (medicine) Acute or chronic intoxication resulting from ingestion of grain infected with ergot fungus, or from chronic use of drugs containing ergot.

Ergotism

a poisoning of humans and animals by ergot or ergot medicines. In humans, ergotism causes a variety of somatic, neurological, and mental disorders. Until the 1920’s, epidemics of ergotism occurred as a result of eating bread made from rye contaminated by ergot. The initial symptoms are gastrointestinal disorders, headache, and fatigue. In severe cases, psychoses are observed in a few days, for example, clouding of consciousness (twilight effect, delirium), restlessness, fear, anxiety, and depression. Convulsions are common. Collapse may occur, and gangrene occasionally develops as a result of the constriction of peripheral blood vessels. Neurological symptoms include paresthesia, impairment of reflexes, and difficulty in walking and speaking.

Acute poisoning by ergot medicines is treated by gastric lavage and the administration of calcium chloride as an antidote. Warm baths, sedatives, anticonvulsants, and drugs that stimulate respiration and blood circulation are prescribed.

Animals may contract ergotism after feeding on wild ergotized cereal grasses or on meal, bran, and grain wastes mixed with ergot. The disease is prevalent in the United States, Britain, and New Zealand and occurs sporadically in the USSR. All species of animals, including birds, are susceptible to ergotism. Acute poisoning in horses and sheep involves the central nervous system and digestive tract. Symptoms may include stimulation, depression, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, ulcerative stomatitis, convulsions, and sometimes abortion. In chronic gangrenous ergotism of cattle and swine, necrotic portions of skin and hoof fall off along with the mane and tail in horses; parts of the comb and wattle fall off in chickens.

Treatment depends on the symptoms. Laxatives, gastric lavage, and enemas are given to remove the poison from the stomach and intestine. Tannin solutions are used to bind the poison in the intestine. Ergotism can be prevented by promptly harvesting grains and cereal grasses before the sclerotia of the fungus matures, cleaning seeds to be planted, and checking the quality of feed.

ergotism

[er´go-tizm] chronic poisoning produced by ingestion of ergot, marked by cerebrospinal symptoms, spasm, cramps, a kind of dry gangrene of the extremities, and burning pain related to intense peripheral vasoconstriction.

er·got·ism

(er'got-izm), Poisoning by a toxic substance contained in the sclerotia of the fungus, Claviceps purpurea, growing on rye grass; characterized by necrosis of the extremities (gangrene) due to contraction of the peripheral vascular bed.
See also: ergot poisoning. Synonym(s): Saint Anthony fire (1)

ergotism

(ûr′gə-tĭz′əm)n. Poisoning caused by consuming ergot-infected grain or grain products, or from excessive use of drugs containing ergot.

ergotism

A condition caused by an excess of ergot compounds, derived from Claviceps purpura, resulting in intense vasoconstriction and gangrene of extremities

er·got·ism

(ĕr'got-izm) Poisoning by a toxic substance contained in the sclerotia of the fungus Claviceps purpurea, growing on cereal rye; characterized by necrosis of the extremities (gangrene) due to contraction of the peripheral vascular bed.
Synonym(s): ergot poisoning, Saint Anthony fire (1) .

ergotism

Poisoning by the ERGOT fungus. This can cause abortion, burning pain in the limbs and closure of major arteries by sustained spasm so that the blood flow is obstructed and GANGRENE may follow.

St. Anthony the Abbot,

patron saint of domestic animals, gravediggers, and hermits. St. Anthony fire - any of several inflammations or gangrenous skin conditions. Synonym(s): ergotism; Milian sign

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St. Anthony the Abbot,

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Words related to ergotism

noun poisoning by ingestion of ergot-infected grain products

Related Words