The difficulties of nomenclature over, the dispenser has now to face the handwriting of German prescriptions, which differs materially from English handwriting. A knowledge of this can only be acquired by practice with the originals, of which we submit a few that will be found useful for exercise and reference. It may surprise English dispensers to learn that these are selected rather for purposes of illustration than as being particularly difficult ones, though one or two present some hard nuts to crack. We add the correct reading of and occasional comments on these prescriptions:

M. D. S. 4 mal taglich einen Teeloffelvoll.

In this prescription the quantities are, as usual, given in metric weights. The liquids, as well as the solids, should be weighed into the bottle, which by preference should be of black glass, in order to prevent decomposition of the apomor-phine.

The aq. amygd. amar. of the prescription is the aqua lauro-cerasi, and elixir pectorale is the elixir e succo liquirit. of the German Pharmacopoeia.

The directions mean ' four times daily one teaspoonful.'

The mark 1.45 in the margin means that the price charged was 1 mark 45 pfennige = 1s. 5d. The price is regulated in Germany by a Government tariff which the pharmacist may not exceed under penalty of a heavy fine.

This is quoted chiefly for the directions, which are rather unusual- namely, a tablespoonful in the afternoon.

M. Ft. ungt. D. S. Mgs. (Morgens) einzureiben.

An ointment 'to be rubbed in, in the morning.' The ung. cerei is composed of arachis oil 7 parts and yellow wax 3 parts. The letters on the margin-'o. a. ep. 1.'- stand for 'olla alba epistomio ligneo'- a white jar with wooden top, Price charged, 1m. 3opf.

M. D. S. Alle 2 Stunden, 15 Tropfen auf Zucker.

This is written by one of the old-fashioned doctors who still use the old measures. The directions mean 'fifteen drops on sugar every two hours.'Observe the word 'cito!' at the end of the prescription as an injunction to the dispenser.

M. Ft. pulv., d. tales dos. No. IV. S. Morg. und Abends ein Pulver.

This prescriber looks like taking first prize for bad writing in this competition. 'Caffeine' in English is ' coffein' in German. The doctor's peculiar care to write out 'centig.' and 'decig.' assists marvellously to obscure his prescription for foreign readers. Price charged, 5opf. = 6d.

D. S. Zweimal taglich, 18-20 T.

Vinous tincture of rhubarb is made of rhubarb 8, orange-peel 2, cardamoms 1, and sherry 100 parts. The directions are given here very curtly, but no doubt mean '18 to 20 drops twice daily.' Price charged, 0.85pf. = 10d.

This is simple enough. Half a gramme of sulphate of zinc to be dissolved in 200 grammes of water.

D. S. Morgens und Abends einen Essloffelvoll.

In this prescription we come across the old Arabic signs for sugar and water. The directions mean ' one tablespoonful night and morning.'

Ut f. pilul. No. 60. Conspergantur pulv. cass. cinnam. D. S. Dreimal taglich vier Pillen zu nehmen.

The only point about this prescription which needs explanation is the interpolation of the dispenser, who found that 1 gramme extract, tarax. and 5 grammes of an inert substance, for which he chose pulv. rad. althaeae, were required to make the mass. The pills were rolled in cassia, not cinnamon.

F. ungt. D. S.

It is hardly necessary to say that for 'kalii iodat.' iodide of potassium is intended. 'Ungt. paraff.' is a mixture of ceresin 4, liquid paraffin 5, wool-fat 1. On the margin the dispenser has run out the calculation of his charge as by law allowed. The first three figures are for the ingredients, the last for the vessel, and the others for the mixing and the labelling, etc, making 1s. 1d. in all. The 'O. gris.' means that the ointment was dispensed in an earthenware pot- olla grisea.

This is a direction to a patient rather than a prescription. It is as follows :

The following is not German, but may be included here.

The transcription and translation are:

The phrase 'solv. ass. quindecim' baffled C. & D. subscribers, and Miss Offerhaus explained that it is a method of pricing.