Romanian Gypsies believe that firing a bullet into the ground and penetrating the COFFIN is a legitimate way to kill the vampire that lies within. Bram Stoker mentioned this method of vampiric destruction in his novel Dracula; however, he added to the mythology to further enhance the flavor of his fictionalized story. In Stoker’s account, it was claimed that the bullet must be made of silver and was referred to by the descriptive and somewhat creative name “sacred bullet” (See BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA).

Source: Cavendish, Man, Myth and Magic, 2926; Day, Myths and Metaphors, 15; Stuart, Stage Blood, 150