100 PRESCRIPTION WRITING 



tains a single dose of aloes and sufficient excipient to make 

 the mass of the proper cojisistency. The dose of aloes is 

 one ounce, and we know by experience that it will take an 

 equal amount of molasses and one drachm of powdered 

 ginger to make a proper ball mass. Multiplying each of the 

 ingredients, then, by 8, we find we need 8 ounces each of 

 aloes and molasses, and 1 ounce of pulverized ginger, to 

 make a mass which shall be divided into 8 balls. 



The Latin names and genitives of socotrine aloes we 

 have already described. Molasses is syrupus fuscus in 

 Latin, or brown syrup. Syrupus^ genitive syrup-i^ of syrup. 

 FusciLS, genitive fusciy of brown. The Latin for powdered 

 ginger is pvlvis, powder, genitive pulver-iSy of powder. 

 Zingiber, ginger, genitive zingiher-iSy of ginger. 



We will proceed to write the prescription thus : 



Aloes socotrinae 



Syrupi fusci aa 1 viii. 



Pulveris zingiberis § i. 



Misce et fiat massa, in bolos viii., dividenda. 

 (Abbreviated) M. et f. mass., in bolos viii., dividend. 



Sig. Give one ball at once. 



John Smith. 



The Latin directions to the pharmacist are translated : 

 (Misce) mix (et) and (fiat) let there be made (massa) a mass 

 (in bolos, accusative pi.), in balls viii. (dividenda) to be 

 divided. 



This is also a stock phrase and should be memorized as 

 applying to pills or balls made from a mass. 



The prescription is abbreviated : 



Aloes soc. 



Syr. fusci aa § viii. 



Pulv. zingiber § i. 



M. et f. mass., in bolos viii., dividend. 

 Or : Misce et divide in bolos viii. 

 (Abbrev.) M. et div. in bolos viii. 

 Translated : Mix and divide into balls 8. 



