5963. Miscellaneous Measures and their Equivalents

5963. Miscellaneous Measures and their Equivalents.

 

Dessert " ............. " 2 "

Table " ............. " 4 "

 

Tea-cupful............... " 4 "

Breakfast-cupful.......... " 8 "

 

Thimbleful................ " 3/4 fl.drachm.

Pinch (of leaves and flowers) " 1 dr. (Troy).

Handful " " 10 "

5964. Signs and Abbreviations Used in Medical Prescriptions

5964. Signs and Abbreviations Used in Medical Prescriptions.

5964 Signs and Abbreviations Used in Medical Presc 52

516 TABLES OF WEIGHTS, MEASURES, ETC.

Collyr... Collyrium................Eye-water

Decot .... Decoctum................Decoction

Ft.......Fiat.........................Make

Garg.....Gargarysma.................Gargle

Gr.......Granum.....................Grain

Gtt.....Gutta........................Drop

Haust... Haustus...................Draught

Infus .....Infusum..................Infusion

M........Misce.........................Mix

Mass .....Massa........................Mass

Mist.....Mistura....................Mixture

Pulv.....Pulvis.....................Powder

Q. S.....Quantum Sufficit. Sufficient Quantity

S.........Signa........................Write

S.S.....Semis........................Half

5965. Strength of Doses at Different Ages

5965. Strength of Doses at Different Ages. The following gradations for doses of medicines apportioned to the age of the patient were originally drawn up by Gaubius.

Under 1/2 year 1/16 of a full dose.

« 1 « 1/12 "

"      2 years   1/8            "

«      3 "       1/16 "

«       4 "       1/5 "

"      7 "      1/3 "

" 14 "           1/2                  "

" 20 " 2/3            "

Above 21 " the full dose. "

" 63 " 11/12 "

" 77 " 5/6            "

« 100 " 2/4                     "

Dr. Young gives the following simple formula: For children under 12 years, the doses of most medicines must be diminished in the proportion of the age to the age increased by 12. Thus, at 2 years, the dose will be 1/7 of that for an adult, viz:

5965 Strength of Doses at Different Ages 53

Sex, temperament, constitutional strength, and the habits and idiosyncrasies of individuals, must be taken into account. Nor does the same rule apply to all medicines. Calomel, for instance, is generally borne better by children than by adults; while opium affects them more powerfully, and requires the dose to be diminished considerably below that indicated above.