Contractions. - Secal. Sec.

Claviceps purpurea. Nat. ord., Fungi.

Synonyms. - Secale cornutum, Acinula Clavus, Ergota.

Fig. - Steph. and Church. Med. Bot., pl. 113.

Ergot of Rye, Spurred Rye. For. names: German,

Kornzapfen; French, Ergot, Seigle ergote; Italian, Allogliato.

This consists of the sclerotium (compact mycelium or spawn) of the above-named fungus, produced within the paleae of the common rye, Secale cereale.

Characters. - Subtriangular, curved, with a longitudinal furrow on the concave side, obtuse at the ends; from 1/3 rd of an inch to 1 1/2 inch in length; of a violet-brown colour on the surface, pinkish within, solid, frangible, fracture short, odour faintly marked, but strong if the powder be triturated with solution of Potash.

Preparation. - Tincture of the freshly gathered Ergot, collected before the rye is harvested, using proof spirit.

Reference to Horn. Proving. - Brit. Journ. of Horn., vol. iv., Appx.

Proper forms for dispensing. - φ and lx, Tincture only. 1 and upwards, Tincture, Pilules, or Globules.