On Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:40:57 -0000, "N_Cook"
wrote:

Wasn't the biblical plague of deaths of the first-born sons put down to the
premium food reserved for the first-born sons, stored in the basement, being
contaminated with ergot or some-such mold

That's one theory, as made popular by a TV documentary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exodus_Decoded
The problem is that ergot can cause death in sufficient quantities,
but more commonly causes hallucinations, temporary insanity,
convulsions, and various symptoms that look like madness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergotism
None of those symptoms were mentioned in the Old Testament. If it
were a massive overdose of ergot poisoning on the surface of the food
storage pot, there would be enough at lower levels to create mass
insanity. Ergot is also very easily visible in unmilled grain, and
would have been recognized. Also, the Nile valley is a large area,
with diverse microclimates. Chances of a country wide epidemic of
ergot poisoning is unlikely.



Drivel: Short lesson in critical thinking... If you read something
that looks like cause and effect, try to visualize what else the cause
might have produced. In this case, what would lesser concentrations
of ergot poisoning produce. There are plenty of theories that will
fall apart after failing that test including government solutions and
creative economics.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558