The discovery of the cause of ergotism in 1670 is attributed to a French physician, Dr. Thuillier. Ergotism could then be reduced by separating the ergots from the healthy grains before milling.

Does ergotism still exist?

In less wealthy countries, ergotism still occurs; an outbreak in Ethiopia occurred in mid-2001 from contaminated barley. Whenever there is a combination of moist weather, cool temperatures, delayed harvest in lowland crops and rye consumption, an outbreak is possible.

When was ergot found?

Ergot was first mentioned by the German physician Lonitzer in 1582 as a remedy used by midwives for quickening childbirth. The isolation of pharmacologically useful alkaloids started in 1906 with the discovery of ergotoxine and its adrenolytic activity by Barger, Can and Dale.