106 PRESCllIPTION WRITING 



Electuaries are not suitable preparations in which to 

 prescribe powerful drugs, as we cannot secure any degree 

 of accuracy in the dosage. This happens because we do not 

 usually know the exact amount of excipient which will be 

 required to make the paste of the proper consistency. We 

 will write for an electuary containing potassium chlorate^ 

 licorice and molasses. The Latin for potassium chlorate is 

 potassium, genitive potassi-i, of potassium ; chloras, genitive 

 cMorat-is, of chlorate ; dose, 3 ii. The Latin for powder of 

 licorice root is (powder has been given before) glycyrrhiza, 

 genitive glycyrrhiz-ce, of licorice ; radix, genitive radic-is, of 

 root. The Latin for molasses is syrupus, genitive syrup-i, of 

 syrup ; fuscus, genitive /wsc-t, of brown ; dose of licorice root 

 and molasses immaterial. They are used as excipienta. 



Potassi chloratis. 



Pulveris glycyrrhizsB radicis . .aa. . § iv. 



Syrupi fusci Q.S. 



Misce et fiat electuarium. 

 Translated: Mix and let there be made an electuary. 

 (Abbreviated) M. et f. electuarium. 



(Weigh 3 vi. as sample). 

 S. Give amount equal to sample every 2 hours smeared on teeth. 



John Smith. 



We cannot tell precisely what quantity of potassium 

 chlorate will be administered in the 3 vi. ordered in this 

 prescription, but we can be assured that it will not be larger 

 than 3 drachms, which is a small dose for the horse. 



Suppositories are occasionally prescribed to dogs. The 

 excipient is cacao butter, of which about 15 grains is 

 required. We will write a prescription containing iodoform 

 and extract of Belladonna root, to be dispensed in suppos- 

 itories for a medium-sized dog. The Latin for iodoform is 

 iodoformum, genitive iodoform-i, of iodoform; dose, gr.^. 

 The Latin for extract of belladonna root is belladonna, 

 genitive helladonn-ce, of belladonna; extractum, genitive 

 extract-if of extract ; radix, genitive radic-is, of root ; dose, 

 gr.|. The Latin for cacao butter is oleum theohrormi / 



