1. Ergotism is a disease affecting humans and animals caused by consuming alkaloids produced by the Claviceps purpurea fungus (ergot fungus).
2. This fungus commonly grows on rye and other cereal grains.
3. Therefore, Ergotism is due to the consumption of contaminated grains (specifically, grains infected with the ergot fungus).
4. Symptoms can range from gangrene and convulsions (convulsive ergotism) to hallucinations (associated with ergot alkaloids like LSD precursors).