206 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR, 
When infusions are intended to be kept we must add two 
ounces of pure spirits of wine to every quart. Delicate 
infusions, such as red rose leaves, flowers of meadowsweet, 
elder flowers, &c., if made in the proportions named, and the 
spirit added as directed, or tincture of the same, if you can 
get it, will keep any length of time if kept in a cool place, 
The same may be said of all ordinary herbal infusions. 
DECOCTIONS. 
Decoctions are generally prepared from crushed barks, 
roots, or seeds, and some few of the heavier plants. They are 
gently simmered for a half-hour or hour, or more or less as 
necessary. They can be preserved in the same way as 
infusions, either simple or compound, for any length of time 
if kept in a cool place, by simply adding the spirit or 
tinctures. 
Infusions, decoctions, and tinctures well prepared and 
judiciously combined, meet the indications of almost any form 
of disease. 
