Axiell Internet Server 6 | Details | Leg amputated due to gangrene caused by ergotism

Sidebar content	Main content
Actions	Leg amputated due to gangrene caused by ergotism Remove from selection Add to selection Object numberGC.13233 TitleLeg amputated due to gangrene caused by ergotism DescriptionLeg amputated due to gangrene caused by ergotism Ergotisim is a poisoning caused by ingesting a fungus that can grow on rye and other cereals, and can lead to gangrene through vasoconstriction. This case was in a 45 year old woman who had taken a medication isolated from this fungus. During an attack of influenza she suffered from extensive menstrual bleeding, for which Ergotamine tartrate was prescribed. This is a medication that had first beein isolated from the ergot fungus in 1918, and was used to treat conditions that would benefit from vasoconstriction, such as migraine. In all she had taken only 7 tablets. She was admitted to hospital on account of the sudden development of intense pain in the legs and arms, pyrexia and marked facial flushing. The peripheral pulse could not be detected but pulsations were found in the femoral and subclavian arteries. The carotid pulse was forceful. She suffered cramp-like pain in both of the legs, arms and severe abdominal pain with vomiting. Following admission, the ischaemia progressed with progressive sensory loss and the deep reflexes disappeared. Evident gangrene in the fingers of the left hand and of both legs developed and eventually it was necessary to amputate both legs, right thumb and tip of right index finger. There are full clinical details, including correspondance and photographs in the GC envelope. The case was reported in the BMJ in 1960 (see attached) Production date 1959 Object nameLEG Object categoryAnatomical, specimen

Object numberGC.13233

TitleLeg amputated due to gangrene caused by ergotism

DescriptionLeg amputated due to gangrene caused by ergotism Ergotisim is a poisoning caused by ingesting a fungus that can grow on rye and other cereals, and can lead to gangrene through vasoconstriction. This case was in a 45 year old woman who had taken a medication isolated from this fungus. During an attack of influenza she suffered from extensive menstrual bleeding, for which Ergotamine tartrate was prescribed. This is a medication that had first beein isolated from the ergot fungus in 1918, and was used to treat conditions that would benefit from vasoconstriction, such as migraine. In all she had taken only 7 tablets. She was admitted to hospital on account of the sudden development of intense pain in the legs and arms, pyrexia and marked facial flushing. The peripheral pulse could not be detected but pulsations were found in the femoral and subclavian arteries. The carotid pulse was forceful. She suffered cramp-like pain in both of the legs, arms and severe abdominal pain with vomiting. Following admission, the ischaemia progressed with progressive sensory loss and the deep reflexes disappeared. Evident gangrene in the fingers of the left hand and of both legs developed and eventually it was necessary to amputate both legs, right thumb and tip of right index finger. There are full clinical details, including correspondance and photographs in the GC envelope. The case was reported in the BMJ in 1960 (see attached)

Production date 1959

Object nameLEG

Object categoryAnatomical, specimen

Item request date
Expected return date
Destination