This article originally appeared on http://www.justbento.com.
Practical and fun bento box tips and ideas, healthy bento recipes from Japan and the world. Brought to you by Makiko Itoh of Just Hungry.
The hallucinogenic Pain de Provence mystery
posted by Loretta on Tue, 2010-08-24 16:12
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-10996838
I've been aware of the this story, where many people in a village called Pont-Saint-Esprit in Southern France became temporarily insane, for a few years now.
The accepted theory was that some bread flour had become contaminated with ergot, a toxic fungus. There are theories also that some of the hysteria of the Salem witch trials was fueled by the effects of ergot poisoning.
This possible revelation that the bread of Pont-Saint-Esprit's poor citizens was purposefully poisoned by a government agency is really chilling.
New forum activity since your last visit
| Title | Author | Answers | Last Post |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMPORTANT: If you have a blog on JustBento... | maki | 1 | 2 weeks 2 days ago |
| Kakigori - Japanese shaved ice | Loretta | 6 | 2 weeks 4 days ago |
| Help me through the cauliflower glut | Loretta | 24 | 3 weeks 4 days ago |
| What should I bring back from Japan? | Awfulknitter | 5 | 4 weeks 4 hours ago |
| Wal-Mart has Lock And Lock | SewingDiva | 5 | 4 weeks 1 day ago |
Join the Just Bento flickr pool
Join the Bento Gear flickr pool
Recently commented articles
- A beautiful Mother's Day bento (2 comments)
Active forum topics
- IMPORTANT: If you have a blog on JustBento...
- Kakigori - Japanese shaved ice
- Help me through the cauliflower glut
- What should I bring back from Japan?
- Wal-Mart has Lock And Lock
- Japanese bread recipes
- The fake Japanese/Asian restaurant Hall of Shame
- Marinated Garlic Cloves
- Line-drying Clothes
- Homemade natto?
Recent articles
- Just Hungry, Japanese food and more
- Hungry For Words: My language blog (mostly Japanese)
- Maki's personal site
Subscribe to Just Bento
Subscribe to Just Bento - a healthy meal in a box: great bento recipes, tips, and more
Or...subscribe by email:
There's always a conspiracy theorist trying to blame the government though. How else did AIDs, and every other STD become prevelant? (there's a theory stating government was involved in almost every STD out there). I take a different approach to the Salem witch trials, but have studied it extensively in high school and college. I am aware of the ergot theory, but more was at work than simple hallucinagenics. I actually got a chance to discuss my ideas with an american history professor this past week and he was impressed with the information I found upon studying and thought it had merit as a political ploy by the predominant family to gain access to the land they desperately wanted. And again we are back to the government causing the riots LOL. See? Told you. It's all the president's fault. Always was and always will be for generations to come. Hee hee.
Just the new girl around here looking for some lunch ideas.
Post new comment