While the pharmacist must be familiar with all abbreviations that may be used in prescription writing, it is only necessary in a work of this character to call attention to those that it may be to a prescriber's advantage to use.

as will be explained, means Take thou or Take thou of. The symbol is also frequently used to represent prescription. For instance, it is customary to order Refill 47,283. Some druggists use, in charging and billing, the symbol Rf. for prescription refilled, as Rf. 47,283 would mean that particular prescription refilled.

. means of each, and when placed after an item in the inscription means that the amount following is to be taken of that and each of the ingredients above since a quantity was stated. It should be placed immediately after and on a line with the last item it is to include, as

q. s. means a sufficient quantity. It is usually understood to mean a sufficient quantity to make up to. ad, meaning to or up to, is generally considered unnecessary when placed after q. s., as q. s. ad. q. s. is placed after the vehicle or excipient, which are ordinarily the last items in the inscription:

The abbreviation q. s. is also used where the quantity is left to the discretion of the compounder, as in ordering suppositories the prescriber may write:

Or, in abating the unpleasant odor of ichthyol:

ad means to or up to, and is used after the name of the vehicle. It orders that the agent preceding it should be used in such amount as is necessary to make up to the quantity following, as

When literally translated into English, q. s. ad or even ad may be as good or better than q. s. The principal objection to ad is that it may be mistaken by some for add, and in the prescription just given a fluidounce be used instead of about half of that quantity.

ad may also be written so as to read āā , while q. s. cannot be mistaken for anything else. It is understood by all druggists, it is easily written, and it is the abbreviation used for that particular purpose in such a vast-majority of instances that its exclusive use would seem desirable.

Opt

optimus-best is used when an excellent quality is desired, and the particular brand is left to the discretion of the pharmacist, as in ordering olive oil or brandy. It is manifestly unreasonable to expect the dispenser to carry all the first-class makes or to expect all to agree as to which -is the best, and in such instances to specify a special make may cause delay or other undesirable results:

Q. R.-quantitum rectum-the quantity is correct. This may be used where the quantity of a medicine is unusual and it is desirable to call the attention of the dispenser to the fact that the prescriber is aware of the condition, but that particular circumstances justify the dose. The abbreviation is placed just after the item to which it calls attention, as

If the entire prescription is unusual in dosage the Q. R. may be placed in the lower left-hand corner of the sheet, in which case it should be written in bold letters so as not to escape attention.

The druggist is required to observe the dosage in a prescription and not fill any that appears excessive unless he is assured of its correctness. He stands between the prescriber and the patient as a safeguard against toxic quantities, and the prescriber's special assurance is often necessary to prevent delay in delivering.

There is danger of arousing the suspicions of the patient or entailing inconvenience while the prescriber is being sought to change what is really a correct quantity. As an example of this might be mentioned the use of morphine where the patient has acquired tolerance, or in the new application of remedies as thymol in uncinariasis, where the former dose was two grains, but as much as fifty to one hundred grains are now prescribed. Much inconvenience was occasioned when the profession first resorted to this application of this drug.

Underscoring

A heavy line under a quantity has the same meaning as Q. R. and is usually more desirable. It is used as

Morphinae Sulphatis ............................ gr. iv

The same method is also used to call attention to a particular word or part of a word, as

Acidi Sulphurosi, where it is thought the sulphuric acid might be used. M.-misce-mix or mix thou-is usually written

It instructs the compounder to mix the items enumerated above, and is understood to mean that it be done in an intelligent manner. In the majority of instances it is all the compounding instructions necessary. The subject is more fully discussed elsewhere.

Ft

fiat-(plural fiant)-make-means that the drug or drugs of the inscription are to be made into the form specified. The same abbreviation is used to express the singular or plural.

Fac

Make-is not often employed.

Chart. (or cht.)-chartula-a small paper. It is used to mean a dose of medicine wrapped up in a small paper. The same abbreviation is used to express any number or case of the word. Chts. should never be used.

Chart, Cerat

Chartula cerata-a small waxed paper. Used to mean a dose of medicine wrapped in a small waxed paper. The same abbreviation is used for any number or case.

Cap

Capsula-a capsule. It is used to mean a dose of medicine put into a capsule. The same abbreviation is used to express any number or case of the word. Caps. should never be used.

Pil

pilula-a pill. The same abbreviation is used to express any number or case. Pill and pils are not correct abbreviations.

Suppos

suppositoria-a suppository. The same abbreviation is used to express any number or case of the word.

Non. rep.-non repetatur-not to be repeated (or refilled). This is usually placed in the lower left-hand corner of a prescription that the prescriber does not wish the compounder to refill.

Pp

Pauperismus-a pauper. Used in the lower left-hand corner of a prescription, and is understood to mean that the patient is an object of charity, that the prescriber is rendering his services without charge, and that leniency is asked at the hands of the compounder.

The following are frequently employed and hardly need discussions:

Sol

Solutio-a solution.

Emul

Emulsio-an emulsion.

No

numerus-number.

Tere bene-rub well.

Sig

signa-write (or write thou).

A table of abbreviations will be found elsewhere.