Dancing Mania

 

Rye infected with the ergot-containing fungus Claviceps purpurea was baked in bread and ingested.

 In France, ergotism was a “convulsive” type with chorea. Victims also had vasospasm, gastrointestinal distress, and delirium.

 Initially, fingers would contract with painful spasms; the individual would stagger and complain of burning or pricking sensations. 

This gave rise to other names: “the fire that twisted people” and “creeping sickness.”

                                                       Convulsive Ergotism = Dancing Mania 

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