DECLARATORY. Something which explains, or ascertains¹ what before was uncertain or doubtful; as a declaratory statute², which is one passed to put an end to a doubt as to what the law is, and which declares what it is, and what it has been. 1 Bl. Com. 86.

TO DECLARE. To make known or publish. By tho constitution of the United States, congress have power to declare war. In this sense the word, declare, signifies, not merely to make it known that war exists, but also to make war and to carry it on. 4 Dall. 37; 1 Story, Const. §428; Rawle on the Const. 109. In pleading, to declare, is the act of filing a declaration.

DECOCTION, med. jurisp. The operation of boiling certain ingredients in a fluid, for the purpose of extracting the parts soluble⁴ at that temperature. Decoction also means the product of this operation.

2. In a case in which the indictment⁵ charged the prisoner with having administered to a woman a decoction of a certain shrub⁶ called savin, it appeared that the prisoner had administered an infusion⁷ (q. v.) and not a decoction; the prisoner's counsel insisted that he was entitled to an acquittal, on the ground that the medicine was misdescribed, but it was held that infusion and decoction are ejusdem generis, and that the variance⁸ was immaterial. 3 Camp. R. 74, 75.

DECONFES, canon law in France. Formerly⁹ those persons who died without confession¹⁰ were so called; whether they refused to confess or whether they were criminals to whom the sacrament was refused. Droit Canon, par³ M. L'Abbe Andre. Dupin, Gloss¹¹. to Loisel's Institutes, says, Le deconfes est celui qui meurt sans confession et sans testament¹² car l'un n'alloit point sans l'autre. See Intestate.

DECORUM. Proper behaviour; good order.

2. Decorum is requisite¹³ in public places, in order to permit all persons to enjoy their rights; for example, decorum is indispensable in church, to enable those assembled, to worship. If, therefore, a person were to disturb the congregation, it would be lawful¹⁴ to put him out. The same might be done in case of a funeral. 1 Mod. 168; 1 Lev. 196 2 Kebl. 124. But a request to desist should be first made, unless, indeed," when the necessity of the case would render such precaution impossible. In using force to restore order and decorum, care must be taken to use no more than is necessary; for any excess will render the party using it guilty of an assault and battery. Vide Battery.

DECOY. A pond used for the breeding and maintenance of water-fowl. 11 Mod. 74, 130; S. C. 3 Salk. 9; Holt, 14 11 East, 571.

DECREE, practice. The judgment¹⁵ or sentence of a court of equity¹⁶.

2. It is either interlocutory or final. The former is given on some plea or issue arising in the cause, which does not decide the main question; the latter settles the matter in dispute, and a final decree has the same effect as a judgment at law. 2 Madd. Ch. 462; 1 Chan. Cas. 27; 2 Vern. 89; 4 Bro. P. C. 287.; Vide 7r-Vin. Ab. 394; 7 Com. Dig. 445; 1 Supp. to Ves. Jr. 223 Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t.