[scruple] Scruple; [scruple]i, one scruple; [scruple]ij, two scruples;
[scruple]ss, half a scruple; [scruple]iss, a scruple and a half.
[drachm] Dram or drachm; [drachm]i, one dram; [drachm]ij, two drams;
[drachm]ss, half a dram; [drachm]iss, a dram and a half.
[ounce] Ounce; [ounce]i, one ounce; [ounce]ij, two ounces; [ounce]ss, half
an ounce; [ounce]iss, an ounce and a half.
[minim] A minim; a drop.
[ana] (Gr. _ana_), of each a like quantity.
[recipe] (L. _recipe_), take.
The above symbols are employed almost always in medical prescriptions. A
prescription consists of the following parts: (1) The _Superscription_; (2)
The _Inscription_; (3) The _Subscription_; (4) The _Signature_. The
_Superscription_, which consists of the letter [recipe], is a relic of the
days of astrology. It originally was used to represent the symbol of the
planet Jupiter. By common consent it is now regarded as representing the
imperative mood of the Latin verb _recipere_, to take. The _Inscription_ is
a statement of the names of the substances to be used, with their
quantities. The _Subscription_ is made up of the directions for the
guidance of the dispenser. The _Signature_ includes the directions to the
patient. This part of the prescription should be written in English; the
other parts are in Latin. Sometimes the signature also is in Latin.
The body or prescription contains the following: the _Basis_, or principal
active ingredient; the _Adjuvant_, or _Auxiliary_, to assist its action;
the _Corrective_, to correct or diminish some undesirable quality; the
_Vehicle_, or _Excipient_, to give a suitable form for administration.