saint-Antoine hospital

The oldest hospital in Tonnerre, it is thought to have been built in the 2nd century, to house those suffering from "Saint Anthony's fire" or "burning sickness", caused by long-term ergot poisoning. The patient suffers from hallucinations and extreme itching, giving the impression that his body is on fire, before gangrene sets in. Probably little used outside epidemic periods, it was attached to the Antonins de Troyes at the end of the 17th century.