ergotism

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The plant disease caused by ergot.
2. (countable, uncountable)The effect of long-term ergot poisoning, traditionally due to the ingestion of the alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea which infects rye and other cereals, and more recently by the action of a number of ergoline-based drugs, consisting of convulsive and gangrenous symptoms.
3. (countable, uncountable)The use of ergot-infested grain to poison animals.
4. A logical deduction.

   “States are not governed by Ergotisms. Many have Ruled will who could not perhaps define a Commonwealth[…]”