Fire, St. Anthony's

Fire, St. Anthony's
The intensely painful burning sensation in the limbs and extremities caused by ergot, the consequence of a fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that contaminates rye and wheat. The fungus produces substances (alkaloids) termed ergotamines that constrict blood vessels and cause the muscle of the uterus to contract. The ergotamines have been much used (and been very useful) for the treatment of migraine. They have also been used (and misused) as abortifacients (agents of abortion). In excess, ergotamines are highly toxic and cause symptoms such as hallucinations, severe gastrointestinal upset, and a type of dry gangrene. Chronic ergot poisoning (ergotism) was rife during the Middle Ages due to the consumption of contaminated rye. St Anthony is one of a number of saints whose names have entered the annals of medicine. Others include St. Guy, St. John and St. Vitus. St. Anthony's fire referred not only to ergot poisoning but also to erysipelas, a type of spreading hot, bright red strep skin infection. For more about this fascinating disease, see our article on St. Anthony's Fire — Ergotism .

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Anthony B — Anthony B, eigentlich Keith Anthony Blair (* 31. März 1976 in Clark s Town, Jamaika), ist ein jamaikanischer Dancehall und Reggae Interpret. Sein Durchbruch gelang ihm 1995 mit den Songs Fire Pon Rome und Warrior, seitdem ist er einer der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Anthony B — Anthony B, le 12 novembre 2005 à Seattle. Nom Keith Blair Naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Anthony Kiedis — Born November 1, 1962 (1962 11 01) (age 49) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Genres funk rock, alternative rock, rap rock, punk rock, Occupations …   Wikipedia

  • Anthony b — Anthony B, le 12 novembre 2005 à Seattle. Nom Keith Blair Naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations — Format Travel, Food Created by Zero Point Zero Production Inc. Starring …   Wikipedia

  • Fire — (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fire alarm — Fire Fire (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fire annihilator — Fire Fire (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fire balloon — Fire Fire (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fire bar — Fire Fire (f[imac]r), n. [OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f[=y]r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f[=y]ri, f[=u]rr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. {Empyrean}, {Pyre}.] 1. The evolution of light and heat in the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”