Ergot (Ergot)

Ergot, also known as fungal rust, belongs to the class of ascomycetes and is one of the most dangerous parasites of cereals. This mushroom was known back in the Middle Ages and caused outbreaks of ergotism, characterized by convulsive movements, psychosis and hallucinations

When the first sprouts appear in the rye buds, some signs of infection with the ergot fungus are already clearly visible, which is why their diseases are also called “oat berry”.

The fruit of ergot is a spherical stalk, 8 to 15 mm long and up to 3 mm thick. The color of the legs is pinkish-violet or black, matte or shiny. If the cap and stem of ergot are damaged, they begin to decompose with the appearance of an unpleasant odor, which signals that it is ready for use and poses a danger to the environment.

**Poisonous properties**: when eating bread made from flour contaminated with ergot, the stomach first begins to ache, salivation increases, nausea and vomiting appear. Further, the patient’s condition worsens, heartbeat increases, shortness of breath, leg muscles cramp, sweating, mental disorders appear, coordination of movements, vision, and pain shock are impaired. A day after eating bread contaminated with ergot, a picture of severe poisoning develops, the temperature rises to 40 °C, and the patient falls into an unconscious state. The face is hyperemic, the skin is hot to the touch, the patient is shivering, pupillary reflexes to light are weak, breathing is shallow, the pulse is weak, thread-like, slow. Di