St. Anthony’s Fire

St. Anthony was the patron saint of people stricken with ergotism and so many called the ailment St. Anthony’s Fire.

This illness produces severe stomach pains, psychotic bouts and an intense painful burning sensation in the limbs and extremities. It is caused by ergot, a fungus (Claviceps purpurea) which is found on rye and less often on wheat and survives the making of bread with these grains. The fungus produces alkaloids called ergotamines. These chemicals constrict blood vessels and cause the muscle of the uterus to contract. These ergotamines have been used in the treatment of migraine headaches but have been found to be toxic in higher doses which also cause hallucinations.

During the Middle Ages chronic ergot poisoning (ergotism) was very common because the population often ate contaminated rye. Dry gangrene often resulted. This caused the extremities to blacken and fall off and to eventual death.

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