A prescription is written partly in Latin, partly in English. The name of the patient and the date should be in English; the superscription in Latin abbreviation; the ingredients in Latin; the directions to the pharmacist in Latin or Latin abbreviations; and the directions to the patient in English or Latin.

A prescription properly and unmistakably written is a cardinal requisite to the successful administration of medicine, no less than to its correct preparation by the druggist. The reasons for the employment of Latin in prescriptions have already been given, and it is well for every practitioner and pharmacist to possess some knowledge of Latin grammar. Still, by the observance of a few simple rules, one wholly ignorant of the language may acquire a proper use of the forms generally adopted; and a little study, aided by constant practice, will soon fix in the memory the peculiarities of" gender, case, and number, and the agreement of adjectives, to be met with in all prescriptions.