Prolonged use of ergot leads to a condition called ergotism. Characterized by: • Burning of extremities • Hemorrhagic vesication • Pruritis • Formication • Nausea • Vomiting • Bradycardia • Peripheral ischemia leading to gangrene of fingers and toes • Headache • Miosis • Delirium • Hallucinations • Convulsions • Ischemia of cerebral, mesenteric, coronary and renal vessels
In the middle age,when er did Not know the reason, it was named Antonius Fire and a punishment of god