58 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
erab-apple jam, choose some of the largest crab apples; peel, 
score, and slice them; to each pound of these add one and a 
quarter pounds of lump sugar ; and boil gently for three-quarters 
of an hour to a proper consistence. Verjuice also contains 
citric acid, about ten grains in an ounce. If a piece of a cut 
crab apple be rubbed on warts first pared to the quick, it will 
effectually cure them. Warts are brought about by the bacillus 
porrt. ‘‘ Their disappearance when charmed away by this or 
that whimsical method, is due,” says Dr. Plowright, “to an 
auto-immunization, such as occurs likewise with regard to ring- 
worm, leaving the child immune for the remainder of its life.’” 
But this would not obtain in the case of adults, or old persons, 
from whose skin warts may be similarly dispelled by incanta- 
tion, etc. The greater probability is a physical effect produced 
on their skin by the mental suggestion. Verjuice—formerly 
verjuyce—may be expressed from other green crude fruits, such 
as unripe grapes, etc. ‘‘ Having a crabbed face of her own, 
she’ll eat the less verjuice with her mutton.” Again, “ His 
sermons with satire are plenteously verjuiced.” Being rich in 
tannin, verjuice is a most useful application for old sprains. 
Similarly, a vinegar poultice put on cold is an effectual remedy 
for sprains and bruises ; it will also sometimes arrest the growth 
of scrofulous enlargements of bones. The poultice should be 
made with vinegar and oatmeal, or with the addition of bread- 
crumb, as was directed in the Pharmacopaia Chirurgensis (1794). 
APRICOT (See Marmauane). 
THE Apricot, Armeniaca, 1s a beautiful stone fruit, of a rich, 
reddish, yellow colour, “ shining,” as Ruskin has said, “ in sweet 
brightness of golden velvet.” Its name originated in the 
Roman epithet “ precor,” early ; because of its ripening so soon 
in the season. Shakespeare has told of it as “apricock.” At 
the Cape, Apricots, dried and salted, are commended as remedial 
against sea sickness. They go by the name of “ Mebos,” and 
are a delicious confection. 
The stones of Apricots are imported because of their kernels, 
which contain Noyau freely. At Cairo the pulp is made into a 
luscious paste, which is slightly dried, and then rolled, incor- 
porating the kernels. In Italy the fruit is cut in half, the stones 
being removed, and the pulp spread out for a while in a spent 
