Description: Segment 1 Opening credits followed by an historical background of ergot and a shot of the sclerotia of ergot, Claviceps purpurea. The ergot sclerotia contains alkaloids of ergotamine which at the time of the film were used for migraines and ergometrine (still of crystals seen), which was widely used in obstetrics. The toxicity of ergot and the disease St Anthony's Fire are covered. We hear of the remarkable 1951 outbreak of ergot poisoning in a French village which was later correctly attributed to mercury poisoning. Time start: 01:00:00:00 Time end: 01:05:11:00 Length:00:05:11:00. Segment 2 The lifecycle of ergot is fully explained: spores are produced in the spring which become parasitic and grow in the ovaries of the host, producing a new generation of sclerotia in August which then drop to the ground over winter. Time start:01.05.11.00 Time end:01.11.00.00 Length: 00:05:49:00. Segment 3 The demand for ergot alkaloids for medicinal uses increases. We see how ergot is harvested and sold at local markets in Northern Portugal and then internationally distributed. Time start: 01.11.00.00 Time end:01.16.23.00 Length:00:05:23:00. Segment 4 Still of Sir Henry Dale who initiated a study of ergot alkaloids and isolated ergotoxin. Ergotomine and ergometrine were isolated years later, all being derivatives of lysergic acid. Shots are seen of ergot being ground and macerated with sodium bicarbonate and water, percolated and extracted with an organic solvent in the laboratory. Compounds are precipitated and after further purification ergotomine and ergometrine maleate are extracted. At the time of this film ergotomine was used to treat migraine there are some close-up product shots of migraine medicine Migril . Ergot has been used throughout the centuries during childbirth. Professor Chassar Moir gives an account to camera of the discovery of ergometrine by himself and the chemist Dr HW Dudley in 1935, followed by footage of routine use of ergometrine in the third stage of labour - we see a woman labouring on a bed, assisted by midwives, using gas and air for pain relief. There are close shots of ergometrine in ampoules and ergometrine being administered to the woman by injection. We see the baby being born and the midwife calls it s a boy . We see the baby lying on hospital scales, swaddled and being held by the mother a few days later there is a shot of the mother and baby together, bonding. There are close shots of ergot being harvested and a medium shot of the sclerotia with emerging stalks. Time start:01:16:23:00 Time end: 01:27:00:00 Length: 00:10:37:00