Note. - Every prescription is compounded in keeping with the character of its ingredients, therefore unneccessy details in preparing them are not given in this collection. As fluids nearly always go by fluid measure, the usual prefix f. before the quantity allowed is omitted; neither is it necessary always to inform the druggist that a preparation should be made into an ointment, lotion, etc., where the M. is all that is sufficient, as the combination of the ingredients themselves unmistakably shows the nature of the compound; and if this is not sufficiently clear, the direction in plain English as to how the medicine is to be used, gives all information required. To the non-professional the pedantry of medical prescriptions should never go beyond the field of absolute utility. To enforce extreme care, it is well enough for the prescription itself to be in Latin; but the instructions for its preparation and administration should be in plain English.

A great fault in filling prescriptions, in particular, those of pills, is the defective mixing and trituration of their ingredients, either through carelessness, or under the erroneous idea that each ingredient in a prescription is to perform its own individual function, where it is often the case that the physiological effect of the formula is mainly if not entirely brought about through the combination itself.

The sign asterick *, at the head of any prescription, indicates that the formula has been specially recommended by its author.

The "Remedies Recommended" for some diseases are very numerous, and what may excite astonishment is, that some of those diseases that are in a great measure considered incurable, as phthisis, cancer, etc., carry with them the greatest number. It will be readily perceived that relatively but few positive curative remedies for the disease itself is given in each list; but for the incidental treatment of the dis ease, that is, its symptoms and complications, the list may necessarily be extensive and of great value to the practitioner in consultation. All remedies mentioned in these headings are well authenticated, but the authenticity is not given, as the object is only to point out what had been used in any given disease, and thus make it a suggestive matter to the consultant to strike out on an original line of treatment of his own, having this guidance before him. Where he is not familiar with any given remedy, the department of Therapeutics will come to his aid, and under the Force given he may proceed with confidence and security. The classical terms of most of these remedies, if not all of them may be found in the general index of medicines.

Authenticated Prescriptions (Diseases Alphabetically Arranged.)