In the chapter on pharmacy are given the directions for the preparation of remedies as they are made in accordance with the official pharmacopeia adopted by the American Institute of Homeopathy.

These directions are not, however, universally followed, but those laid down by the founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, are commonly employed. Instead of the decimal scale, Hahnemann used the centesimal scale, i. e., the proportion of 1 to 99. Many physicians continue to employ potencies made in accordance with Hahnemann's directions, which are to be found in The American Homeopathic Pharmacopeia.

There is no law of dose, but at all times it should be remembered, that the smallest possible dose which will cure, is the one to be relied upon. Necessarily this sub-physiological dose will vary, in accordance with the reaction of the patient, if known and with the stage, nature and severity of his disease. Hence potencies from the lowest to the very highest, may with confidence be employed. In acute diseases, the remedy which is indicated, may be given every one, two, three or four hours, depending upon the urgency of the case. As improvement becomes marked, the frequency of administration should be much lessened until, with a cessation of all symptoms, no remedy at all need be given.

If a liquid potency be employed, ten drops of this to four ounces of water, will be sufficient and of this mixture, teaspoon-ful doses can be given. If pellets or disks are dispensed, these can be given dry upon the tongue, to the number of two, three or more, depending upon their size; or they may be dissolved in the same amount of water as above stated for liquid potencies and then given in the same way.

If for any reason, the patient cannot swallow, a small amount of the liquid mixture can be gently dropped between the lips and will be absorbed by the buccal mucous membrane, or may be placed in contact with any mucous surface. Potencies may, indeed, be given hypodermically, although this method of administration will rarely, if ever, be necessary.

In chronic diseases, two or three doses or even a single dose each day, will be sufficient. When the highest potencies are given, a single dose only, may be all that is required and this should be permitted to bring about all the improvement of which it is capable, before a repetition becomes necessary. The deeply acting remedies, such as the metals and minerals, are best given in this manner.

Perhaps the best explanation of the action of potencies has been given by Abrams, of San Francisco, in his work of investigation in the field of electronic reaction of homeopathic potencies.

Unless a tincture or the crude drug itself is used, the mere size or quantity of the dose is of no importance. In the ordinary daily practice of physicians who use homeopathic medicines, the potencies ranging from the 3x to the 60x are mostly employed.