Ergotism (Noun)
Meaning
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 limbs.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The patient's symptoms of thirst, diarrhea, and nausea prompted the doctor to consider ergotism as a possible diagnosis.
- Ergotism is a rare but serious condition that can result from eating bread made from ergot-infected rye.
- In medieval Europe, thousands of people died from ergotism after consuming tainted grain products, leading to outbreaks of dancing mania.
- The symptoms of ergotism can be severe and may include vomiting, abdominal cramping, and abnormal cardiac rhythms.
- Severe cases of ergotism have been known to cause seizures and gangrene of the limbs, which can lead to amputation if left untreated.