So no ideas then? I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t explained and I merely missed it.
Ergot poisoning constricts the blood vessels, which can cause cellular damage or cell death from poor circulation.
It can also cause a biting, pricking feeling that could cause someone to scratch a lot, perhaps causing the skin to bleed.
Here’s the medical review. “Ergotism is caused by Claviceps purpurea, a mold which grows on rye grain (Irene’s organic food). Its symptoms include hallucinations, seizures, constriction of blood vessels, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dry gangrene.” I missed it too if they explained the lesions and the effect on her liver. Constriction of the blood flow was one of the symptoms of the earlier diagnosis of vasculitis.
Nope, there isn’t. It wasn’t my intent to shame you. 
Fighting ignorance is what it’s all about.
Stylists and script maintain quite tight control over the actor’s appearance and style.
[Illustrative anecdote]
I’ve worked in two projects as a script assistant, associated with a secondary character who had a lot of screen time but with hours, days or weeks worth of film-time in between each appearance.
The guy was to maintain a inch-long beard at the start (in control, disciplined and stylish, to show the guy had access to and was conscious of his appearance), but, of course, the filming schedule wasn’t linear and it was a hell to regulate his beard length when he was to be trimmed neat one day and wild-bearded, matted and haggard two days after. Script maintained a book with five reference photos, measurements and a log of each beard-stage to see how well we’d maintained the beard according to how we should have.
I never got to know the guy, but his beard sometimes still haunt my dreams.
So it’s shown a lot of attention to, but it’s something the director and the money-fingers doesn’t like a lot, which is why a lot of bearded fellows in movies are suddenly taped with off-coloured beards, fake beards, hoodies, cloaks, helmets or, as the director said at the end of the project’s taping, preferably not at all.
[/Illustrative anecdote]
I liked this episode alright. I don’t believe I’ve ever rolled my eyes quite so hard as during the grave-robbing, but I grow a thicker skin for that sort of thing with every stupid stunt they pull. I like the rest of the show too much to let silly old reality get in the way.
Some of y’all mentioned having no idea where Generic Boy came from; I had no clue either. Seemed to me like they just stuck him in for the sole purpose of having someone uninteresting to eliminate, but I kinda liked their choice in the end. Surely he’ll go soon, though… it’d be great if the reasoning was something like “well, this other guy really messed up, but dude, you’re just boring.”
I KNOW. Gah, he looks like a big black Q-Tip.
Did anyone catch the non-doctor flipping the plastic surgeon the bird? I forget the exact dialog, but he made some comment about gestures and as he was walking away, he did the subtle “wipe your eye with the middle finger” move. I had to rewind the DVR to make sure I wasn’t imagining it. It was good for a chuckle.
It hasn’t jumped the shark yet, but the previous episode was a practice run.
I did catch that - just as he was walking through the doorway. I wasn’t sure if I saw what I thought I saw or not.
Thanks for pointing that out!
Loved the earlier exchange as well - something to the effect of -
“… bullets aren’t contagious”
I loved Not A Doctor. I hope he hangs out with House and Wilson as they implied that he could.
Cameron looked better with dark hair.
Yes, House is still on the Vicodin.
I loved the “Bachelor” thing at the end.
More Wilson, please.
Maybe they wanted the mom to speak in Ukrainian with subtitles, wh ich would let the scene make sense. But when the actress (who looks like Brenda Strong) did such a great job with the lines, they kept it in English?
Edit: yeah, darken Cameron’s hair, she looks really old with blonde hair.
There weren’t many witch trials in the Middle Ages; those are more typical of 17th century Protestants. And nothing to do with ergot poisoning, which may or may not have caused supposed outbreaks of hallucinations (as late as the 20th century). Still, it’s a fun idea, and I should have seen it coming as soon as they mentioned her organic, unprocessed diet.
I liked Henry; but the lack of intellectual conflict with House would be a problem.
I enjoy a good grave-robbing scene, but, really – how much trouble would an eminent doctor have getting an exhumation order when Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is suspected?
I stand corrected on the date. It was in fact 17th Century and specifically about the Salem witch trials. The theory of Ergot Poisoning being a possible cause for witch citings in Salem is out there http://www.plant.uga.edu/labrat/ergot.htm
Same here. I said “hmm, did I just see that?” My wife still didn’t catch it on replay until I froze the image.
Nope. I only drink in bars. It’s just not the same without loud music and cute guys to teach you how to play darts.
Speaking of CJD, I thought you got that from contact with infected brain tissue. Like eating it, or maybe touching it. How would she have gotten it? It’s not like she would have done an autopsy on the guy or anything. Was she supposed to be a zombie and we missed it?
I thought this ep was rather interesting until the team was shown digging up the grave!! I guess it was supposed to tie in with the Halloween theme, but that to me crossed the line into extreme unbelievability.
I was genuinely touched by the scene where the girl realizes that her mother is really dead and she has to “let go”. For someone who lost their mother at a young age, this was particularly heart wrenching, and well done by the actresses and the director.
I am looking forward to seeing “Non-doctor” guy having dinner or drinks with Wilson sometime when House is looking for him during off hours… 
Awww, I hated that Henry got cut. I liked saving the real-brains-over-spoon-fed option that the annoying plastic surgeon represents. I also hope he pops back up somehow from time to time.
I like # 13. She’s still hanging in there and taking her licks regarding the “guy she killed and his dog.” Plus, she makes for an even prettier Cameron.
Bitch is also getting pretty aggravating and I thought that she’s becoming to desparate for House to let her continue much longer. Or at lease, I hope that’ll be the case. Plus, the most hottness factor will always be reserved for Cuddy.
More Kumar, Chase and Wilson please. I’m another who never gets enough of Wilson. Less Foreman. And I used to really like him to, but his pretentiousness now is getting on my nerves.
Cameron’s switch away from House has been a huge improvement. She now comes across as someone who’d be incredibly fun to hang out with and / or boink. I look forward to her time on screen and the natural hair color.
Y’all know, that suspending disbelief is a top priority for watching this show… all the things House has gotten away with, the repeated breaking and entering, sexual harrassments, physical altercations, harranguing patients and their families, general over-the-top rudeness, you name it. So a little grave digging? Child’s play to be taken in stride.
I also caught the flip off. Heh.
Finally, favorite line of the night: “… or you’re having them build a railroad.” 
Hugh Laurie auditioned for House after a tough day filming whatever-it-was-he-was-doing-back-then. He apologized for his scruffy, disheveled appearance, then immediately became House, both in looks and acting. The production team must have been falling out of their chairs at that point. He just became the character.
Odd part for a British song-and-danceman and slapstick comedian.
Yeah, he said he was sorry the plastic surgeon guy didn’t understand the words, he would use symbols next time (as he used the bird symbol next to his nose).