fruitblossomMeasurements and Dosages


Measurements

CapacityMass
One Minim (min)One ounce (oz)= 437.5 grains
One fluid drachm (fl. drm)=60 minimsOne pound (lb)=16 oz (7,000 grains)
One fluid ounce (fl. oz.)=8 fl. dm
One pint (0)=20 fl. oz.
One gallon (C)=8 pints


Apothecaries' Weights and Measures of Mass
One grain (gr)
One scruple (ei)=20 gr
One drachm (dr)=3 ei (60 gr)
One ounce (oz)=8 dr (480 gr)
One pound (lb)=12 oz (5,760 gr)



The Art of Prescribing Medicines

In prescribing medicine the following circumstances should always be kept in mind: AGE, SEX, TEMPERAMENT, HABIT, CLIMATE, STATE OF STOMACH, AND INDIOSYNCRASIES.

AGE: For an adult, suppose the dose to be 1 drachm.
Then:

      Up to 1 year will require 1/12 (or 5 grains)
      Up to 2 years will require 1/8 (or 8 grains)
      Up to 3 years will require 1/6 (or 10 grains)
      Up to 4 years will require 1/4 (or 15 grains)
      Up to 7 years will require 1/3 (or 1 scruple)
      Up to 14 years will require 1/2 (or 1/2 drachm)
      Up to 20 years will require 2/3 (or 2 scruples)
      Above 20 years the full dose--1 drachm.
      Above 65 years the inverse gradation of the above.

SEX: Women require smaller doses than men and the state of the uterine system must never be overlooked.

TEMPERAMENT: Stimulants and purgatives more readily affect sanguine persons than phlegmatic ones; consequently the former requires smaller doses.

HABITS: Knowledge of these is essential. Those who habitually use stimulants--such as smokers and drinkers--require larger doses of affect them, while those who habitually use saline purgatives are more easily affected.

CLIMATE: Medicines act differently on the same individuals in summer and winter, and in countries/regions of different climates. Generally, the warmer the weather, the smaller the required dosage.

STATE OF STOMACH: IDIOSYNCRASY--The least active remedies operate very violently on some individuals due to a peculiarity of the stomach or disposition of the body, unconnected with temperament. This state can be discovered only by accident or time.

In prescribing, you should always so regulate the intervals between doses so that the next dose may be taken before the effect of the first has altogether worn off. If this is not done then the cure is "always commencing but never proceeding". It should always be kept in mind, however, that medicines such as Digitalis, Opium, etc., are apt to accumulate in the system and there will be danger if the doses are too close together. DOSES MUST ALWAYS BE MEASURED--NEVER GUESSED!!!!

The following list of explanations should give you some help when reading textbooks and/or writing formulae and prescriptions:

AbbreviationExplanationMeaning
RRecipeTake
F.S.A.Fiat Secondum ArtemLet it be made or prepared
M.MisceMix
MSDMiscae signa daMix the medicine, deliver it with instructions in writing to patient
M.F. Mixt.Misce fiat mixturaTo form a liquid mixture
DivDivideDivide
SolSolveDissolve
FascFasciculusAn armful
Man.j.ManipulusA handful
Pugil j.Pubillus or PugillumA pinch
Cyat j.CyathusA glassful
Coch j.CochlearA spoonful
Gutt.GuttaA drop
No. 1,2,3, etc.The number of pieces, written "j., jl., jll., jlll.," etc.
Anaor aaOf each
P.AePartes oequalesEqual parts
Q.S.Quantum SufficitAs much as suffices
Q.I.Quantum libetAs much as you like
Q.V.Quantum VoluerisAs much as you like
lb.LibraA pound
oz.UnciaAn ounce
Dr.Drachma or dramA drachma or dram
Scr.ScrupulusA scruple
Gr.GranumA grain
PilPilulaeA pill or pills
PotPiot or potassaPotion
PulvPulvisPowder
PulvPulvis factusPowdered
TincTincturaTincture
ExtExtractumAn extract (usually a liquid)
ChartulChartulaSmall paper
Collyr.CollyriumEye Wash
Collut.CollutoriumMouth Wash
Decoct.DecoctionDecoction
Garg.GargarismaGargle
Haust.HaustusA draught
Iams.InfusumAn infusion
Mist.MisturaMixture
Ss.SemissesHalf
ZZZingiberGinger
Ol or OiOne pint
E.A.Ex AquaIn Water
A.c.Anta cibumBefore Meals
P.c.Post cibumAfter Meals
Tus urgTussal urg.When the cough is troublesome
H.s.Hora somniAt bedtime
SOSAs required
Pro ocPro. occulaFor the eyes
= partoe pEqual parts
M.D.To be used as directed
AddenduaTo be added
Agit. vasAgitato vaseShake the vessel
AnteBefore
ApplicAppliceteurLet there be applied
Aqua FervensBoiling Water
CatCataplasmPoultice
DiesDate or day
DictusSpoken of
Dur dolorDurante doloreWhile the pain lasts
GradGradationBy degrees
Ad libAd libitumAt pleasure; as you please
Sine moraWithout delay; urgent


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