you're thinking ergot (claviceps purpurpea), as in ergotism, the oldest recorded source of fungus poisoning.
the active component are the ergot alkaloids, which are all derivatives of lysergic acid. they are molecularly related to adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin ergometrine is used to control postpartum bleeding, while very small doses of ergotamine can be use to treat migranes. heh, I work in a toxicology lab and just happen to have a paper on ergotism sitting on my desk ;) ---- seek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Robert Taylor" > > > I prefer Collins' - it's less stuffy than the OED and more accepting of > comtemporary argot. > > ==================== > > > Rye argot? > > seek
