Elfshot

Elfshot or elf-shot is a medical condition described in Anglo-Saxon medical texts (notably Wið færstice) believed to be caused by elves shooting invisible elf-arrows at a person or animal (most often cattle), causing sudden shooting pains localized to a particular area of the body.

[3] Additionally, it can denote prehistoric arrowheads believed to be used by fairies or witches to cause harm or serve as protective amulets.

It has been argued that attributing certain aches and pains to the arrows or "flying venom" of elfkind was a practice common throughout Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian Europe.

[9] Possible prevention or curing of elf-shot included visiting Church on the first Sunday of the season,[10] or using a charm made of feverfew, red nettles, and waybread.

[5] Various cures for elfshot horses have been recorded, including mixing dock seed, Irish wax, and holy water and letting "a priest sing twelve masses over them".