90 PRESCRIPTION WRITING 



dividing .06 by the denominator of the fraction and multiplying the result 

 by the numerator. The dose of aloes (gr. 1/^) is transformed into gramSj 

 then, as follows: 



2).06(.03 X l = -03 

 06 



00 

 Gr.l/120 is converted into grams thus: 



120) .0600 (.0005 X 1 = .0005 Gm. 

 600 



Solids in Gm. Liquids in mils. 



^ 



Ferri reducti 



Aloes socotrlnae 



Strychnlnse sulphatis 



M. et f. pil. 1; dispense pil. tales No. xxx. 

 Sig. (as before). 



12 



03 

 0005 



This prescription may be abbreviated in this manner:* 



Fer. reduc 12 



Aloes soc 03 



Strych. sulph 0005 



M., etc. 



Prescriptions for balls are calculated and vpritten in every respect 

 like those for pills. We may write the above prescription in another 

 form, in case we prescribe a pill or ball mass to be made, or an official 

 mass to be divided into pills. Suppose we write a prescription for a 

 physic Qiass, suitable for horses. We conclude to write for a quantity of 

 the mass sufficient to make eight balls. Each ball contains a single dose 

 of aloes and sufficient excipient to make the mass of the proper consis- 

 tency. The dose of aloes is one ounce, and we know by experience that 

 it will take an equal amount of molasses and one dram 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. Fuscus, genitive fusc-i, of brown. 

 The Latin for powdered ginger is pulvis, powder, genitive pulver-is, of 

 powder. Zingiber, ginger, genitive singiber-is, of ginger. 



We will proceed to write the prescription thus : 



Aloes socotrinae, 



Syrupi fusel aa Sviii. 



Pulverls zingiberls gi. 



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, D. V. M. 



•Abbreviations are those official in U. S. Pharmacopeia. 



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