In one version of the legend, the move was owing to an intolerable infestation by chigoe fleas in the Pokolum area (cf. Hunn 1977, 307).

For this th' avenging Pow'r employs his darts; / And empties all his quiver in our hearts; / Thus will perſiſt, relentleſs in his ire, / Till the fair ſlave be render'd to her ſire: …

However, possibly euthanasians and executioners have some reason not to use this method.

Then Hrefna said she would coif herself with it, and Thurid said she had better, and Hrefna did so. When Kalf saw that he gave her to understand that she had done amiss; and bade her take it off at her swiftest. For that is the one thing that we, Kjartan and I, do not own in common.