"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

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Translated by Dr. Aaron K. Hostetter.

References

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  1. ^ "Against the Water-Elf-Disease | Ancient Exchanges". Exchanges: Journal of Literary Translation.
  2. ^ "medieval charms". The Mediaeval Monk. 29 November 2020.
  3. ^ Jolly, K. L. (2015). Popular Religion in Late Saxon England: Elf Charms in Context. United States: University of North Carolina Press.
  4. ^ "Medieval Medical Works · Vesalius at 500 · Special Collections and Archives". library.missouri.edu.
  5. ^ "History and Folklore Podcast: Anglo-Saxon Elf Charms". historyandfolklorepodcast.libsyn.com.
  6. ^ Shippey, Tom (2005) [1982]. The Road to Middle-Earth (Third ed.). HarperCollins. pp. 66–74. ISBN 978-0261102750.
  7. ^ "Metrical Charm 7: For the Water-Elf Disease". www.sacred-texts.com.
  8. ^ "The Metrical Charms | Old English Poetry Project | Rutgers University". oldenglishpoetry.camden.rutgers.edu.
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