Ergot

cold weather causes fungus growth, and the ergot rye fungus was used in the process of making dough. When people say that fungus is the reason for the girl’s actions, they are not being specific.  There are millions of food fungus’ in the world,

Ergot Ergot (Claviceps purpurea Tul.) is a poisonous fungus that is hazardous to animals and humans. It appears to be a small, hard, black, elongated structure that grows on and contaminants grains, which is called scelrotium. The appearance tends to look like mold. When eaten in quantity or small amounts over a period of time it can be highly toxic. Furthermore, it is a major problem for humans in North America but even more severe for animals. Humans are susceptible to being contaminated with

devil were in Salem. Ergotism was the cause of the Salem Witch Trials. Ergot, which grows on the rye crop, when eaten the fungus can cause symptoms that the early colonists considered to be witchcraft. Symptoms of ergotism were compared to those of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and were found very similar to the symptoms of hysteria. The climate that the rye grows in either promotes or demotes the growth of the fungus. Ergot infects plants when they are young and causes cells to divide and enlarge

of the symptoms people got that caused them to blame people of being witches. Ergotism was the cause of Salem Witch Trials because of the growth of the ergot in the area, the symptoms the settlers had, and how the symptoms caused the commotion. Ergotism was the cause of the Salem Witch Trials due to how the climate of the salem helped ergot grow in the area. The conditions that help egrot thrive are a cold winter that is followed by a wet and humid spring (Lienhard). In Salem the winter of

substances of such nature that are abused in today’s society are alcohol and LSD. Alcohol is a liquid that is derived from the fermentation of grains and/or fruit (7). LSD is an ingestible form of lysergic acid which is derived from a fungus called ergot. Both of these drugs are drastically different with minimal similarities, primarily because alcohol is classified as a depressant and LSD is classified as a hallucinogen. Even though these drugs differ in many ways, they are commonly used in unison

LSD For thousands of years people have spoke of all types of visions. Whether the visions were from religious groups, Indian tribes, or self proclaimed prophets; all types of people have seen things. This was more than likely occurring with the help of different types of hallucinogens. Hallucinogens have been around since the beginning of time. Some mushrooms, cactus flowers, and even different types of mold are all able to produce hallucinogenic effects. However, it was only within the last

has also been involved in conspiracies concerning the intelligence agency. LSD was first introduced to the world in 1938 when it was developed by Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist. Hofmann’s studies were centered on developing a medically relevant ergot alkaloid derivative. The discovery of the psychedelic effects of LSD was not discovered

behind the strange behaviors is unknown, there are many theories. One of them is the ergot poisoning theory. Ergot poisoning (also known as ergotism) comes from a fungus called Claviceps purpurea. This harmful fungus often sprouts up around grains such as rye; and a lot of bread is made from rye or wheat. Since bread was eaten a lot in Salem Massachusetts, this philosophy does have some valid points. The symptoms of ergot poisoning match what the supposed “victims of witchcraft” had as well; creating

claims try to explain the existence of witches during the time but very few try to disprove those claims as well. Although they hold strong arguments only one theory has been able to be proven scientifically through the accounts of actual victims. Ergot poisonings have been very evident through the beginning of the “bewitchments” and throughout the trials. In 1962, eight young girls began to experience sickly symptoms and strange happenings that no nurse or doctor could explain. As they were left

hysteria was ergotism, a disease caused by infected rye grain. The conditions of the region contributed to much of the growth of ergot. Ergotism had many distinct symptoms, which matched much of the testimony and accounts of those involved in the Witch Trials. All of these circumstances definitively caused the terror and panic found in the town of Salem in 1692. Ergot, more specifically known as Claviceps purpurea (The Witches Curse), is a fungus that mainly infects cereal grains. This fungi is