Raphania, or ERGOTISM, is a disease which was much more prevalent some centuries ago than it is at present. The name raphania was first given to it by Linnæus, who thought the morbid symptoms were dependent upon the mixture of Raphanus Raphanistrum, or jointed charlock, with the wheat used as food. It was suspected, as early as the end of the 16th century, that the disease was due to the development of a fungus in the grain, and this fact is now established beyond doubt, although some writers hold (as Linnæus did) that this morbid state is also produced by the presence of poisonous plants, especially Lolium temulentum, or darnel, among the grain. Deficiency of proper food probably contributes to cause the disease, for it rarely occurs when ergot is used medicinally. 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. See ERGOT.
There are two forms of the disease—the spasmodic and the gangrenous. In both, symptoms of irritation of the digestive organs are the first to appear. In the spasmodic form tingling or itching of various parts of the body, with loss of sensation in the feet and hands, are the most constant symptoms. Violent contractions of the muscles may occur, giving rise to intense pain, and sometimes epileptic convulsions supervene. In the gangrenous form the extremities are painful, red but cold, and not easily moved; and after a varying time gangrene supervenes. With regard to treatment, the main thing is to replace the poisonous flour by easily digested, wholesome food. 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.