BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 285 
seed oblong, sub-cylindrical, and grooved on 
the upper side, pubescent at the apex, andof a 
rich brown color. The seed or grain is subject 
to a diseased condition, especially in wet sea- 
sons; this disease produces the Ergot of the 
Stores, Secale, Cornutum, the origin of which 
is the Claviceps Purpurea, and the natural or- 
der Fungi. The Ergota is obtusely triangular 
in shape, and resembles. the cock’s spur as to 
its curvature; in length an inch or less, and 
about one-eighth of an inch in thickness, hay- 
ing three furrows running nearly the entire 
length of the grain; externally of a purple 
color, inclining to a black; internally they are 
of acreamy white, breaking with an abrupt 
fracture. Odor peculiar, and resembles the ex- 
tract of beef at first, then becoming heavy and 
unpleasant; taste oily and disagreeable. The 
constituents are ergotinine ( crystalline), sczer- 
otodin picrosclerotin (poisonous), sclerotic acid, 
ecbolina, proteids, mycose cornutine which is 
a very active alkaloid, and about 30 per cent of 
fixed oil, The medical effects of Ergot and its 
preparations are emmenagogue, parturient, ec- 
bolic and hemostatic. Given in form of powder, 
tincture and extracts. Ergotin (Bonjean’s Er- 
gotin) is only an aqueous extract, precipitated 
by alcohol and evaporated. The Ergotine ex- 
tract and fluid extract are official; also the wine. 
Dose of the Ergotine and extract, 1 to 3 grains 
(0.06 to o.2 grams); of the tincture, fluid ex- 
tract and liquor, from % to x fluid drachm. 
Ergot is often found on wheat and oats, but 
differs much in shape and size. Many of the 
pestilential diseases of Europe are said to have 
