The American Journal of Digestive Diseases

, Volume 9, Issue 9, pp 301–303 | Cite as

Impending gangrene of the foot following treatment for pruritus of jaundice with ergotamine tartrate: Report of case

  • Lucian A. Smith
  • George B. Eusterman
Article
Received:

Summary

Ergotamine tartrate in treatment of the itching of jaundice must be used with care. Patients may have an idiosyncrasy for the drug or a cumulative reaction may develop. The case of a woman who had severe jaundice and who was given 6.75 mg. of ergotamine tartrate in nine days is reported. Signs of impending gangrene developed in one foot. Fortunately, the prompt use of measures designed to produce vasodilatation led to recovery and saving of the foot. Certain observations suggested that administration of ergotamine tartrate wrought further injury to a liver already damaged by jaundice.

Keywords

Common Bile Duct Duodenal Ulcer Secretin Pancreatic Juice Pilocarpine 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. 1.
    Comfort, M. W. and Erickson, C. W.: Untoward Effects from the Use of Ergot and Ergotamine Tartrate.Ann. Int. Med., 13:46–60, July, 1939.Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Lewis, Thomas: The Manner in Which Necrosis Arises in the Fowl’s Comb Under Ergot Poisoning.Clin. Sci., 2:43–55, Sept., 1935.Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Yater, W. M. and Cahill, J. A.: Bilateral Gangrene of Feet Due to Ergotamine Tartrate Used for Pruritus of Jaundice; Report of a Case Studied Arteriographically and Pathologically.J. A. M. A., 106:1625–1631, May 9, 1936.Google Scholar
  4. 4.
    Gould, S. E., Price, A. E. and Ginsberg, H. I.: Gangrene and Death Following Ergotamine Tartrate (Gynergen) Therapy.J. A. M. A., 106:1631–1635, May 9, 1936.Google Scholar
  5. 5.
    Kobert, R.: Ueber die Bestandtheile und Wirkungen des Mutter-korns.Arch. f. exper. Path. u. PharmakoL, 18:316–380, 1884.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Davidson, A.: Fatal Case of Poisoning by Ergot of Rye.Lancet, 2:526–527, Sept. 30, 1882.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1942

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lucian A. Smith
    • 1
  • George B. Eusterman
    • 2
  1. 1.Fellow in MedicineMayo FoundationRochester
  2. 2.Division of MedicineMayo ClinicRochester

Personalised recommendations