Most physicians have certain formulae that they are in the habit of frequently employing. These are known as stock prescriptions. The practice is often carried to excess, but there can be no doubt that well-selected stock prescriptions are better than none at all. It is usually necessary for the medical attendant to write his prescriptions in the presence of the patient or family. The vast majority of cases will represent only a limited number of conditions, as tonsillitis, colds, intestinal intoxication, etc. There can be no objecton to the prescriber drilling himself in correctly writing one or more formulae for each common demand. The matter of compatibility, taste, odor, appearance, etc., can be carefully worked out, and the dosage later adjusted to meet the demands of each particular case. The prescriber can often use these stock formulae as a starting point and build his Materia Medica to them to better advantage than if he works at random. For example:

Quinine is the remedy for malaria. Let the physician work out a prescription, correct from every standpoint, for adminstering the drug in tasteless form to an adult that cannot take capsules; in a tasteless form to a child that cannot take capsules; in bitter solution, in capsules, and quinine tonics to meet the requirements of these patients after the first few days of intensive treatment.

Many teachers insist on learning"to use a drug"-certainly-but the prescriber should always stock his memory with facts as to how to order it for definite conditions, how to combine it, disguise its taste and odor if necessary, how and when to order it in liquid or solid form, and how to write the other details of the order.