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a fungus that spreads to the flowers of grains (most commonly rye)

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When ingested (often when it is made into bread) it causes a disease calld ergotism, AKA St. Anthony's fire

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a disease that was very prevalent in Europe during the middle ages

It causes:

-gangrenous sores on the skin

-great pain

-muscle spasms

-convulsions

-vomiting

-hallucinations

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It is called St. Anthony's fire because:

-victim’s limbs, fingers, toes, and nose were “eaten up by the holy fire that blackened like charcoal”

-St. Anthony was believed to have healed people with various skin diseases

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-people often prayed to St. Anthony to be healed or relieved of their skin disease and pain

-St. Anthony was thought to be a protector of the sick, and became the patron saint of people with ergotism

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Bosch depcits St. Anthony several time in his work, maybe beause he was suffering from ergotism himself. These might have been devotional images in the hopes that St. Anthony would heal him of the disease. This theory explains the origins of Bosch's fantastical creatures and his vivid imagination as a result of possible hallucinations caused by the affliction.

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The Isenheim Altarpiece (depicting a suffering Christ covered in skin lesions), was displayed at the Monastery of St. Anthony. This monsatery doubled as a hospital, where suffferers of St. Anthony's fire and other skin diseases could find releif through medical treatment, as well as prayer. Viewers of this altarpiece could relate to the suffering of Christ, and be encouraged to persevere and remain faithful to God.

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-Ergot contains naturally occuring lysergic acid, which is used to manufacture LSD.

-ergot contamination may have been the cause of the dancing plagues of 1518