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I speak of phraseology, for you must understand that a knowledge of classical Latin will not enable you either to write or to translate an orthodox prescrip tion. Literal translation of many phrases in common use may lead you into very serious error, in illustration of which I may remind you of the story which is told of the raw apprentice who translated the words, 'pro re nata," as, "for the thing that is born," with results which may be better imagined than described. And now, gentlemen, let me ask you to set its true value on a knowledge of the art of prescription-writing. Remember that the diction of a typical prescription is one of the most crucial tests of an accomplished physician, implying as it does the most extensive and varied professional attainments. Although the colleges and examining boards do not lay sufficient stress on the importance of prescription-writing, let not this fact deter you from an earnest study of the art. If no higher motive should actuate you, reflect that an erroneous prescription bearing your signature may place you at the mercy of the unfriendly criticism of an apothecary's apprentice.

You may ask what, after all, is the necessity for inditing prescriptions in the Latin tongue? There are at least two cogent reasons: first, a prescription in Latin can be deciphered in almost every quarter of the globe; and, secondly, it is often necessary to conceal from our patient that he is taking a certain drug.

After these prefatory remarks, which I trust will not be unprofitable, we will now commence our studies with a consideration of

AND THE

ART OF PRESCRIBING.

BY

W. HANDSEL GRIFFITHS, Ph.D., L.R.C.P.E.,

LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, EDINBURGH; PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY IN THE LEDWICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DUBLIN ; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE THERAPEUTICAL SOCIETY OF PARIS ; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF PHARMACY;

EDITOR FOR The Edinburgh Medical Journal OF

"THE MONTHLY REPORTS ON THE PROGRESS OF THERAPEUTICS; LIBRARIAN TO THE ROYAL COLLEGE of surgeonS, IRELAND.

AND CO.

London:

MACMILLAN

1875.

[All Rights reserved.]

151.0.A!

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS.

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS,

TO THE

REV. PROFESSOR HAUGHTON, M.D., F.R.S.,

FELLOW AND MEDICAL REGISTRAR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, Dublin,

This Little Volume is Enscribed,

AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF THE ESTIMATION

IN WHICH

HIS LABOURS IN THE CAUSE OF MEDICAL EDUCATION

ARE HELD BY

THE AUTHOR.