for Medicine.--There are many different methods of
preparing herbs for medicine,--Infusion, Decoction, Fomentation, Ointment,
Plaster, Poultice, Powder, Essence, Tincture, etc. Only five of these,
Plaster, Poultice, Fomentations, Decoction and Infusion are commonly used.
An infusion is more commonly called "tea."

Infusion or Tea, to make.--Usually about one ounce of the herb to a pint
of water is used for an infusion. Sometimes cold water is poured over the
herb, but the most common method is to pour boiling water over the herb
and let stand for a short time, just as you would make common tea for the
table. Sometimes a little sugar may be added to make the tea more
palatable. An infusion or tea should be used while fresh.

Decoction, to make.--Make same as for infusion and boil for some time,
just as you would make coffee.

Essence, to make.--Take about an ounce of the essential oil of the herb
and dissolve in a pint of alcohol.

Fomentations, to make.--Dip cloths or heavy towels in the infusion or
decoction, wring out and apply locally to part that you wish to cover.

Ointments or Salve, to make.--An easy method to make a salve or ointment
is to take about eight parts of vaselin or lard or any like substance and
add two parts of the remedy you wish to use. Thus, if you were to make a
sulphur salve you would use eight ounces of vaselin and two ounces of
sulphur; stir and mix well while hot and when cool you would have a
regular sulphur salve or ointment.

Plasters, to make.--Bruise the leaves, root, or other part of the plant
and place between two pieces of cloth, just as you would a mustard
plaster, and apply to the surface you wish to cover.

[410 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Poultices, to make.--Poultices are used to apply heat (moist heat), to
soothe or to draw. Usually a soft substance is used, such as soap and
sugar, bread and milk, mustard, etc. Some cause a counter-irritation, some
draw the blood from a congested part and thus relieve pain. In the chapter
on nursing many different poultices are given with methods of preparing
them.

Powder, to make.--The part to be used is crushed, pounded, or ground until
it is made very fine. It is best to have substance dry if to be prepared
for powder.

Syrups, to make.--After preparing the substance for a tea boil for some
time, then add considerable sugar and stir until all is nicely dissolved.
To each pint of this syrup add one ounce of glycerin and seal up in
bottles