/ (ˈɜːɡəˌtɪzəm) / noun. ergot poisoning, producing either burning pains and eventually gangrene in the limbs or itching skin and convulsionsAlso called: Saint Anthony's fire.

What is convulsive ergotism?

The clinical features of convulsive ergotism--muscle twitching and spasms, changes in mental state, hallucinations, sweating, and fever lasting for several weeks--suggest serotonergic overstimulation of the CNS (ie, the serotonin syndrome). The ergot alkaloids are serotonin agonists.

What does the word ergotism mean?

: a toxic condition produced by eating grain, grain products (such as rye bread), or grasses infected with ergot fungus or by chronic excessive use of an ergot drug.