EXAMPLES OF PRESCRIPTIONS 91 



The Latin directions to the pharmacist are translated: (Misce) 

 mix (et) and (fiat) let there be made (massa) a mass (in bolos, accusa- 

 tive pl.)j 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 see. 



Syr. fusel aa Sviii. 



Pulv. zingib gi. 



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

 Or: Misce et divide In bolos vlil. 



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



Translated: Mix and divide into balls 8. 



Or: M. et fac bolos viii. (abbrev.) M. et f. bolos vill. 



Translated: Mix and make balls 8. 



Mixtures are compounds in which fluids are mixed or solids dissolved 

 or held in suspension by a suitable vehicle. We must first decide upon 

 the number of doses which we wish to prescribe, and then the quantity 

 of the mixture to be given at each dose. 



Suppose we wish to give sweet spirit of nitre and quinine to a horse. 

 We propose to give the mixture three times daily for several days. The 

 dose of the nitrous ether will be an ounce; the quinine will be dissolved 

 in it. Bottles are in use containing 12 to 16 ounces, or 1 pint. We will 

 decide upon the pint bottle. This, then, will hold 16 ounces, or 16 doses 

 of sweet spirit of nitre. In each dose of the nitre we want dissolved 

 gr.xx of quinine sulphate. 16Xgr.xxi= gr.cccxx = 3v. 9i. Now, 6 

 drams of quinine sulphate, will not dissolve in 16 ounces of sweet spirit 

 of nitre, so that we will add enough diluted sulphuric acid to dissolve the 

 quinine. We do not know how much sulphuric acid will be required, so 

 we write after acid sulphuric, q. s., for quantum sufKciat, i.e., as much 

 as suffices (to dissolve, understood). 



Again, we do not know exactly how much bulk* the quinine will 

 take up when dissolved in the nitre; nor what amount of acid will be 

 required. Yet, on the other hand, we want to fill our bottle.. To get 

 over these difficulties we will write after sweet spirit of nitre ad, under- 

 lined (to) ; in other words, we order the druggist to take of sweet spirit 

 of nitre enough to (make, understood) a pint. 



The Latin for quinine is quinina, genitive quinin-ce, of quinine. The 

 Latin for sulphate is sulphas, genitive sulphat-is of sulphate. The Latin 

 for spirit of nitrous ether is spiritus, genitive spiritus, of spirit ; nitrosus, 

 genitive, nitros-i, of nitrous ; cether, genitive CBther-is, of ether. The Latin 

 for sulphuric acid diluted is acidum, genitive acid-i, of acid; sulphuricus, 

 genitive sulphuric-i, of sulphuric; dilutus, genitive dilut-i of diluted. 



We may now write our prescription as follows : 



*The Increase In volume of the drench through the addition of this amount of 

 quinine would be negligible, but in cases where large quantities, of solids are 

 dissolved in liquids the increase in volume is marked. 



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