For Water-Elf Disease
Anglo-Saxon charm and medical treatment
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"For Water-Elf Disease" (Old English: Wiþ Wæterælfadle) is an Anglo-Saxon metrical charm that was intended for use in curing the "water-elf disease," which was a disease supposedly caused by elf-shot from water elves.[1][2][3] It is written in Old English and derives from Bald's Leechbook (10th century).
Some historians have suggested that the disease referred to may be chicken pox or dropsy (oedema).[4] A poultice is made with many herbs and placed on the wound.[5][6]
Text
Translated by Dr. Ophelia Eryn Hostetter.
|
Gif mon biþ on wæterælfadle, þonne beoþ him þa hand- Ic benne awrat betest beadowræda, Sing þis manegum siþum: Eorþe þe onbere eallum hire |
If someone comes down with the “water-elf-disease,” then his finger- I have composed the best battle-company for this wound, Sing this many times: Earth that withers all of these,
|