T256        Unusual  Doses  and  their  Correctness,  etc. 
no  over  or  dangerous  doses  are  administered  ;  and  how  frequently  it  is 
necessary  to  consult  the  physician  before  the  prescription  can  be  com- 
pounded properly  (as  there  are  none  of  us  of  either  profession  perfect), 
every  pharmacist  knows. 
My  attention  has  lately  been  forcibly  drawn  to  this  subject  from  some 
prescriptions  I  have  been  called  on  to  dispense,  viz.':  Fifteen  (15) 
grain  doses  of  bismuthi  subnit.  every  three  hours,  for  child  five  months 
old.  Two  and  a  half  (2J)  grain  doses  acid,  carbolic,  crystal.,  three  times 
a  day  (for  adult.)  Three  (3)  drop  doses  tr.  aconit.  rad.  every  two 
hours  (adult).  Three-quarter  (J)  grain  doses  morphiae  sulph.  every 
two  hours  (adult).  Half  drop  doses  acid,  hydrocyan.  dil.  U.  S.  P. 
every  three  hours  (child  10  years). 
And  yet  each  of  these  were  legitimate  prescriptions,  given  in  these 
large  doses  for  a  specific  purpose,  and  not  to  have  dispensed  them  thus 
would  have  thwarted  the  purpose  of  the  prescriber,  while,  in  many 
other  cases,  would  have  resulted  in  serious  consequences  to  the  patient. 
What  I  would  suggest  is  some  symbol  letter,  word,  or  mark  to  de- 
signate to  the  pharmacist  that  the  physician  is  fully  cognizant  of  what 
he  has  written,  and  wishes  it  followed  out  (of  course,  this  only  to  be 
applied  in  extraordinary  cases).  The  pharmacist  is  at  once  relieved  of 
all  doubt  and  anxiety,  and  there  is  no  need  of  questioning  the  applicant 
about  the  patient,  or  putting  him  ofF  with  the  idea  of  a  long  time  being 
necessary  to  compound  the  prescription,  and  in  the  meantime  seeing  the 
physician  to  find  out  his  intentions  ;  all  of  which  is  calculated  to  cause 
doubt  and  distrust  on  the  part  of  the  applicant  and  patient. 
I  would  suggest  that  whenever  an  active  substance  is  prescribed  in 
large  or  unusual  doses,  the  asterisk  or  check  mark  be  used  in  connection 
therewith,  and  at  the  bottom  the  letters  "C.  C,"  signifying  considered 
and  correct,  thus : 
K. — Liq.  ammon  :  acet :  f^iii- 
Spits,  nitri  dulc:      .........  f^^ii. 
Tr.  aconit :  rad :  ........  fgss. 
Syr.  limonis,  2  s  ft.         .       .       .       .       .       .       .       .  f^iv. 
M.  et  sig.    One  dessert  spoonful  every  two  hours. 
C.  C. 
I  think  the  subject  is  of  sufficient  importance  to  bring  to  the  notice 
of  both  professions,  and  respectfully  submit  it  to  their  consideration.  * 
The  reader  is  referred  to  a  paper  on  the  same  subject,  by  Mr.  R.  Hampson,  pub- 
lished in  "American  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  1873,  P^&^  489> '  ^^^o  to  the  discussion 
on  the  above  paper,  in  the  minutes  of  the  Pharmaceutical  meeting. — Editor, 
