The Werewolf

A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope, is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or a hybrid wolf-like beast, either purposely or after being placed under a curse or affliction, like a bite or scratch from another werewolf.

Lycanthrope is an umbrella-term for a number of changes and conditions: The transformation may be temporary or permanent; the beast may be the man himself morphed;  a double whose activity is separate from the real person;  his soul going forth to seek another to devour, leaving the body in a trance;  a real animal or a familiar spirit.

In medieval Europe there were three methods to cure a victim of Lycanthrope; medicinally (usually via the use of wolfsbane), surgically or by exorcism.  Many of the cures advocated by medieval medical practitioners proved fatal to the patients: striking it on the forehead or scalp with a knife; piercing of the werewolf's hands with nails; piercing the beast flesh with silver.

 Source: Woodward, Ian (1979). The Werewolf Delusion. Paddington Press.