Ergot [Clavicep purpurea] has had some historical usage, including the induction of labor contractions in medieval midwifery. It was a common bread mold contaminant in the middle ages [Rye Smut] which would produce circulatory disturbances and gangrene of the extremities ["St. Anthony's Fire"]. Ergot is used in modern medicine usually combined with caffeine as a treatment for migraine headache [Cafergot]. Several of their immediate derivatives possess remarkable antibiotic activity [Agroclavine, festuclavine]. Eich E, et al. Clavines as Antitumor Agents: Natural 8-Hydroxymethyl-ergoline Type Clavines and Their Derivatives. Planta Medica 1986; 5: 290-4 Eich E, Eichber D, Muller W. Clavines: New Antibiotics with Cytostatic Activity. Biochemic Pharmacology 1984; 33(4): 523-6 http://www.healthy.net/library/journals/naturopathic/vol1no1/news/clavines.h tm Ergot is a fungus parasite of the heads of grasses. In mid- to late-summer, entire grains are replaced by the black, hardened bodies of the fungus. Class of Signs: Behavioral changes, lameness, abortions, convulsions, gangrene, death. http://vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/cover1.htm