Vampyres: Legend, Cases and Theories

Bulgaria: Krvoijac, Chained to grave with wild roses, Unknown

Crete: Kathakanko, Decapitation and head boiled in vinegar, Unknown

Croatia: Pijavica, Head decapitated and placed between legs, Incest with mother

Dalmatia: Kuzlak, Transfixion with hawthorn branches, Weaning too early

Greece: Brukulako, Vrykolako, Decapitation and head burned, Unknown

Hungary: Liderc nadaly, Vampyr, Stake through heart, Large nail through temple, Unknown

Ireland: Dearg-dul, Piling stones on grave, Unknown

Italy: Vampiro, Undetermined, Unknown

Macedonia: Vryolakas, Pour boiling oil on corpse, Driving nail in navel, Natural, by birth

Poland: Upier, Upierzyca, Bury face downwards, Born with teeth

Portugal: Brusxa, No known cure, Unknown

Prussia: Gierach, Stryz, Poppy seeds in grave, Unknown

Rumania: Strigoiul, Muronul, Remove heart and cut in two, Garlic in mouth, Nail in head, Stake through heart

Russia: Myertovets, Vurdalak, Upierzhy, Transfixion with stake though chest, Drive stake through heart once only, if more times, it revives, Son of werewolf or Witchcraft

Saxony: Neuntoter, Lemon in mouth, Unknown

Serbia: Vlkoslak, Mulo, Dhampir, Cutting toes off, Driving nail through neck, Incest, Killed by werewolf, Stillborn

Slovenia: Vukodlak, Undetermined, Unknown

Spain: Vampiro, No known cure, Unknown

Sweden: Vampyr, Undetermined, Unknown

While the epidemic raged in Hungary, the authorities, both state and church, were baffled. It was considered to be like other epidemic. From 1692 to 1694, over 30,000 of Prince Savoya's soldiers died of the Black Death. During the year 1708, smallpox and sickness caused the deaths of over half a million people. In 1719, over half of the population of Transylvania died of the same causes. Epidemics were considered to be sent by God to the people for their sins.

Different ways to stop the epidemics were tried. There were prayers and penance. Holy Trinity, or pestilence, columns were erected. Pagan practices were revived. Fires, known as living fires were lit. A virgin and a chaste boy lit a fire, then, when the bonfire diminished, cattle were driven through it and the people rubbed themselves with the ashes.

In the early 1730s, a Walloon Officer in the Imperial wrote about his experience with the epidemics.

The vampyre's victim falls into a state of lethargy. The appetite and weight are lost, and, within about eight or ten days, without any other signs of illness, including fever, except for anemia, dies. The body is dry and withered. It is said a vampyre attacked him and drained his blood. Many of the victims say they saw a white spectre following them and staying as close to them as possible.

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