The date is first written, then the name of the patient and age. The superscription or heading ( ) should be printed on the blank. The names of the ingredients should then be written without amounts, except the vehicle, which is followed by the total amount of the prescription; then the directions to the compounder, then the directions to the patient, then the prescriber's signature. When this is complete the prescriber has before him the total amount of the preparation, the amount of each dose, and the number of doses; so he can better calculate the amounts of the active ingredients. These are filled in, beginning with the first and taking them in the order in which they are written.