She was diagnosed with a disease that triggered multiple medieval plagues—and it wasn’t the Black Death.
A 24-year-old woman had to undergo an amputation after contracting a rare illness that once caused devastating outbreaks in medieval Europe.
Her symptoms began with an intense burning sensation in both legs, running from her thighs down to her toes. Concerned by the unusual pain, she visited an outpatient clinic two days later.
Her Feet Turned Cold and Discolored
Doctors immediately noticed that her feet had changed color and that she was struggling to walk. Despite her complaints of burning pain, her legs were cold to the touch.
Further examination revealed that no pulse could be detected in her popliteal and dorsalis pedis arteries, suggesting severe circulation issues. A CT scan confirmed that her arteries had significantly narrowed.
She was prescribed blood-thinning medication, which improved circulation, reduced pain, and restored warmth to her legs. However, despite these efforts, gangrene developed in one of her toes, requiring amputation.
The Disease Once Feared as ‘Holy Fire’
Doctors diagnosed the woman with ergotism, a rare condition caused by consuming ergot—a toxic fungus that infects certain grains, particularly rye.
Ergot poisoning can lead to severe symptoms, including convulsions, hallucinations, and tissue death due to restricted blood flow. In medieval times, its bizarre and terrifying effects led many to believe it was the result of demonic possession or supernatural forces.
A Disease That Ravaged Europe for Centuries
A study published in the National Library of Medicine titled One Holy Man, One Eponym, Three Distinct Diseases: St. Anthony’s Fire Revisited explores the long history of ergotism.
“The first recorded outbreak of gangrenous ergotism in Europe appeared in 857 AD in Germany. Several other epidemics followed in France, Germany, and Scandinavia,” the study explains.
“In total, at least 83 ergotism epidemics have been documented in Europe from 945 AD onward—and this list is likely incomplete.”
The German physician Wendelin Thelius was the first to correctly link ergotism to a 1596 outbreak in the Kingdom of Hesse. However, it wasn’t until 1676 that researchers identified contaminated rye infected with Claviceps purpurea as the cause.
Even then, it took another century before effective prevention measures were implemented.
In 1778, French physician Tessier observed a massive epidemic in Sologne, France, where more than 8,000 people died. His findings led to critical reforms, including mandatory grain cleaning, improved field drainage, and replacing contaminated rye with potatoes.
Ergotism is now rare thanks to modern food safety regulations. This woman’s case serves as a chilling reminder of a disease that once terrorized medieval Europe.
