PEAGH., 557 
identical with that of the bitter almond. The flowers are 
laxative, and have been used instead of manna. The fruit is 
wholesome, sub-acid, and luscious, seldom disagreeing if eaten 
ripe, and sound. Its quantity of sugar is but small, whilst the 
skin is indigestible. The leaves possess some of the properties 
of prussic acid, and must be only employed medicinally, and 
with caution. A syrup of Peach flowers was formerly made 
officinal by apothecaries. For the colic caused by gravel, Peach- 
flower tea will allay the pain. Gerarde advises that “a strong 
infusion of Peach flowers doth singularly well purge the belly, 
and yet without grief, or trouble,—two tablespoonfuls for a 
dose.” 
Peach pie, owing to the abundance of this fruit, is as common 
fare in an American farmhouse as is apple pie in an English 
homestead. Our notable King John died at Swinestead Abbey 
from a surfeit of Peaches, and new ale. The kernels of this 
fruit, when it is crushed, yield likewise an oil similar to that of 
bitter almonds, which has proved poisonous to children, also to 
pet animals on their cracking a Peach stone. In Sicily there is a 
belief that anyone afflicted with goitre who eats a Peach on the 
night of St. John, or the Ascension Eve, will be cured, provided 
only that the Peach tree begins to perish at the same time. 
Thackeray one day at dessert was taken to task by a colleague 
of his on the Punch staff, Angus B. Reach, whom he addressed 
as Mr. Reach instead of as (Scotticé) Mr. Re-ack. With ready 
humour Thackeray replied, “ Be good enough, Mr. Re-ack, to 
pass me a Pe-ack.”’ As containing very little sugar, Peaches 
are an allowable, and refreshing fruit for diabetic sufferers. 
Peach-water is a flavouring extract used in cookery, being 
obtained from the fresh leaves of the tree by bruising them, and 
mixing the pulp with water, and distilling it. If made in this 
way it retains the flavour of bitter almonds, and will serve to 
relieve the nausea of a qualmish stomach when carefully 
administered. Again, home-made Peach wine, brewed from 
the sweetened juice of mashed ripe Peaches, together with some 
of the leaves, is excellent for soothing an irritable stomach in 
a sensitive weakly person liable to sickness after food; a little 
cinnamon, and vanilla are added in the making. Take a 
hundred thoroughly ripe Peaches, skin them, and remove the 
stones; mash up the fruit in an earthenware dish, and add a 
pint of water sweetened, with some well-flavoured honey ; 
Ls 
