RAPHANIA, or ERGOTISM, is a disease whielrwas much more prevalent some cen turies ago than it is at present. It is defined as "a train of morbid symptoms, produced by the slow and cumulative action of a specific poison peculiar to wheat and rye, and which gives rise to convulsions, gangrene of the extremities, and death" (Aitken's Science and Practice if Xedieine, 1858, p. 332). It has been described under various names. From the 10th to the 14th centuries it was known as St. Anthony's fire, a title which has been since associated with erysipelas. It was then described as epidemic gangrene. The name raphania was first given to it by Linne, who thought the morbid symptoms were dependent upon the mixture of raphaaus Taphanistrum, or jointed charlock, with the wheat used as food. It was suspected as early as the end of the 16th e. that the dig ease was due to the development of a fungus on time grain, and this fact is now estab lished beyond doubt, although some writers hold (like Untie) that this morbid state is also produced by the admixture of poisonous plants, especially lolium temulentum or darnel being mingled with the grain, Although rye is the ordinary seat of the poisonous fungus, wheat, rice, and other grains are liable to be similarly affected, and to produce similar results. For an account of the fungus see ERGOT.
There are two forms of the disease—the spasmodic and the gangrenous. The spas
modic form begins with tingling or itching of the feet and bail& and sometimes of the head. Violent contractions of time hands and feet, giving rise to intense pain in the joints, are a common symptom. The head is much affected, the patient complaining of drowsiness, giddiness, and vision. If coma or epileptic convulsions supervene there is little hope of recovery. The appetite is usually enormous; spots like those of purpura appear on the face, and there are seldom any signs of improvement for some weeks. The gangrenous form begins with extreme lassitude, and is accompanied some febrile disturbance. The extremities are painful, cold, almost insensible, and not readily moved; and after a varying time gangrene supervenes.
With regard to treatment, the first thing to do is to replace the poisonous flour by easily-digested, nourishing, wholesome food. Time pain must be relieved by opiates, the blood purified by the administration of chlorate of potash, and the general tone of the system improved by tonics, such as the preparations of iron, bark, etc. In the spasmodic form warm baths and gentle friction would probably prove serviceable. Whatever be the form of treatment adopted the mortality in the gangrenous form is usually 90 per cent. The spasmodic form is much less destructive to life.