(Spurred Rye, or Ergot of Rye.)
[Various opinions have been entertained in relation to the nature of
Ergot. The most probable is that it is a parasitic fungus, attached to
several species of the gramina, but more especially to the rye. It is
generally found most abundant in moist situations and in wet seasons.
Its taste, at first scarcely perceptible, becomes shortly disagreeable
and sub-acrid. By the analysis of Vauquelin, the ergot has been
ascertained to contain, 1. A fawn-yellow colouring matter, soluble in
alcohol, and having a taste resembling that of fish oil. 2. A white oily
matter, of a sweetish taste, which appears to be very abundant. 3. A
violet colouring principle, of the same shade as that of orchil, but
differing from it by its solubility in alcohol, and which can be readily
fixed on aluminated wool and silk. 4. A free acid, supposed to be partly
phosphoric. 5. A very abundant vegeto-animal substance, much disposed to
putrefaction, and which furnishes a considerable quantity of thick oil
and of ammonia by distillation. 6. A small quantity of free ammonia,
which can be obtained at the temperature of boiling water. As a
medicinal substance, ergot exerts a specific effect upon the uterus, and
is very generally used in this country for the purpose of facilitating
the process of parturition. From the powerful effects produced by the
ergot, it is obvious that it should be used with much caution. Dr.
Stearns, to whom the profession is indebted for the first introduction
of this article into practice, and who must be considered as our highest
authority on this subject, has laid down the following rules by which
its administration should be regulated: 1. It should never be
administered where nature is competent to a safe delivery. 2. It should
never be administered until the regular pains have ceased, or are
ineffectual, and there is danger to be apprehended from delay. 3. It
should never be administered until the rigidity of the os tincæ has
subsided, and a perfect relaxation has been induced. 4. It should never
be administered in the incipient stages of labour, nor until the os
tincæ is dilated to the size of a dollar. 5. It should never be
administered in any case of preternatural presentation that will require
the fœtus to be turned. 6. It should never be administered during the
continuance of one labour, in larger quantities than thirty grains by
decoction in half a pint of water. A table spoonful of this given every
ten minutes, generally succeeds better than a larger dose. While this
quantity produces its most favourable effects upon the uterus, it does
not affect the stomach with nausea or vomiting, which sometimes
interrupts its successful operation.
The ergot is indicated, and may be administered, 1. When, in lingering
labours, the child has descended into the pelvis, the parts dilated and
relaxed, the pains having ceased, or being too ineffectual to advance
the labour, there is danger to be apprehended from delay, by exhaustion
of strength and vital energy, from hemorrhage or other alarming
symptoms. 2. When the pains are transferred from the uterus to other
parts of the body, or to the whole muscular system, producing general
puerperal convulsions. After premising copious bleeding, the ergot
concentrates all these misplaced labour-pains upon the uterus, which it
soon restores to its appropriate action, and the convulsions immediately
cease. 3. When in the early stages of pregnancy, abortion becomes
inevitable, accompanied with profuse hemorrhage and feeble uterine
contractions. 4. When the placenta as retained from a deficiency of
contractions. 5. In patients liable to hemorrhage immediately after
delivery. In such cases the ergot may be given as a preventive, a few
minutes before the termination of the labour. 6. When the hemorrhage or
lochial discharges are too profuse immediately after delivery, and the
uterus continues dilated and relaxed without any ability to contract.]