Part 10

DOGS.

From ¹⁄₂ to 1 year old, full dose. From 3 to 6 months, ¹⁄₂ dose. From 1¹⁄₂ to 3 months, ¹⁄₄ dose. From 20 to 45 days, ¹⁄₈ dose. From 10 to 20 days, ¹⁄₁₆ dose.

THE ART OF PRESCRIBING

The prescription should be as brief and simple as possible. It should be explicit and clearly written. It may be expressed either in Latin or in English. The manner in which the medicine is to be used should be specified. Important instructions as to the rule, systematic regulations or diet of the patient are sometimes necessary.

Prescriptions usually contain two or more of the following four representative constituents: (1) The basis or active ingredients. The practice of conjoining several active medicines has wisely been abandoned. Occasionally, however, it may be advantageous to give together two medicines producing their effects in somewhat different ways. Thus, spasms of the bowels are more often effectually controlled by the conjunction of a stimulant like ether and an anodyne like opium than by either given alone. Pain which is not alleviated by either morphine or atropine is sometimes abated by giving them together. (2) The adjuvant is introduced in order to increase, moderate or modify the action of the basis. Frequently its chief object is to insure solubility and ready absorption. (3) A corrective is occasionally required to temper the effects of the basis. Thus a small dose of opium is prescribed with oil or other laxative in cases of diarrhoea; ginger is generally added to the aloetic mass to prevent its griping. (4) The vehicle generally consists of some comparatively inert substance, added to facilitate administration, such as the treacle, linseed meal or licorice powder used as an excipient for boluses and pills, the benzoated lard or vaseline used for making ointments, and the water given in drenches.

Example:

℞ Barb. Aloes ℥i. Calomel ʒi. Ginger ʒii. Molasses ℥ss. M. et fiat massa, in bolus 1. Sig. Give at once. --John Jones.

In the above prescription aloes is the basis; calomel as an adjuvant, ginger as a corrective, molasses as an excipient.

* * * * *

A prescription is composed of several parts, which may be considered as follows:

1. Heading. 2. Names and quantities of drugs. 3. Directions to compounder. 4. Directions to attendant. 5. Signature of writer.

1. For Gray Tom. July 22, 1916. ℞ { Cupri sulph., 2. { Ferri. sulph. exsic., aa. ℥iss. { Pulv. belladonna fol., { Pulv. gentian rad. aa. ℥iii. 3. M. Ft. Chart No. XII. 4. Sig.--One powder three or four times daily in syrup. --John Jones.

ABBREVIATIONS

PRESCRIPTION WRITING.

Words, phrases and abbreviations commonly used in prescription writing.

℞--means take thou. M.--Misce, mix. Fiat--make. Ad.--add, to make. Et.--means and. Sig.--Signa, label, or write thus. Numerus--number. O.--Octarius, a pint. Ter.--thrice. C. or Cong.--Congius, gallon. Dies.--diem, day. Q. S.--Quantum sufficiat. Sufficient quantity. Bene--well. q. s. ad.--quantity sufficient to make certain amount. Q. h.--quaqua-hora, every hour. aa.--ana. Of each. S.--Semis, means half. S. S.--Semi or Semissis means one-half. Cum.--with. Stat.--statim, immediately. B. I. D.--Bis in die. Twice daily. T. I. D., or T. D.--three times daily, Ter in die. Q. D.--quarter in die; four times daily. P. Æ.--Partes æquales, equal parts. Div.--divide. Gtt.--Guttæ, drops. Grs.--Grains. ʒ--Drachma, dram. ℥--Uncia, ounce. M.--Minims about a drop. ℈--Scruple. M. ft.--mistura fiat; let a mixture be made. Pil.--Pilula; pill. Destil.--Destilla; distill. Liq.--liquor a solution. Pulv.--Pulvis; powder. Fl.--fluidus, fluid. Bol.--Bolus, large pill. Cola--strain. Filtra--filter. Capsula--cap. A capsule. Charta--chart. A paper (medicated). Dosis--Dos. A dose. Massa--Mass. A pill--mass. Unguentum--Ungt. An ointment. Syrups--Syr. A syrup. Vinum.--Vin. A wine. Aqua fontana--Aq. font.--Spring water. Aqua destillata--Aq. dest.--Distilled water.

ACIDUM BORICUM--BORACIC ACID--BORIC ACID

DERIVATION.--Made by evaporation and crystallization of a solution obtained by passing steam issuing from rocks in volcanic regions of Italy, through water; or by the action of hydrochloric or sulphuric acids upon borax. Recovered by filtration and recrystallization.

PROPERTIES.--Transparent colorless scales, of a somewhat pearly luster, six-sided tricline crystals, or a light white, very fine powder, slightly unctuous to the touch; odorless, having a faintly bitterish taste, and permanent in air. Soluble in water, alcohol, glycerine, etc.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 drs.; foals and calves, 20 to 30 grs.; sheep and pigs, 30 to 40 grs.; dogs, 5 to 20 grs.

PREPARATIONS

GLYCERITUM BOROGLYCERINI--GLYCERITE OF BOROGLYCERIN

Composed of boric acid, 310 parts; glycerin to make 1,000; prepared by heat (303° F.).

ACTIONS.--Boric acid is a non-volatile, non-irritating antiseptic, deodorant and astringent, it arrests fermentation of minute organisms, free of irritating effects in solution, when applied to wounds; it lessens suppuration, and is as effective as carbolic acid; can be used in any strength from the pure powder or saturated solution to the mildest form.

USES.--Boric acid is indicated for all purposes for which an antiseptic is used; it is used in diarrhoea in foals, calves and dogs, combined with other drugs; it has a slightly astringent action of itself; it is excreted in the urine, consequently would exert its influence on the bladder in cystitis, cystic catarrh; 1 part in 800 prevents the development of anthrax-bacilli; useful in skin diseases, also used in keratitis and catarrhal and purulent conjunctivitis, six to ten grains to the ounce, with atropine or cocaine when very painful. Useful in distemper of dogs where the bowels are affected, as an antiseptic. Boric acid is preferred to carbolic acid as an antiseptic for dogs. On account of the paralyzing effect of carbolic acid on the nerves, it hinders the healing of wounds to a certain extent, while the boracic acid does not.

Boric acid may be applied pure to wounds and sores or mixed with other suitable drugs as a dusting powder. Equal parts of boric acid and zinc oxide make a cheap and effective healing powder; to an itching wound the addition of an equal quantity of acetanilide increases its value. A saturated solution (four per cent) is useful as a vaginal and uterine douche and to flush the bladder in cystitis.

ACIDUM CARBOLICUM CRUDUM--CRUDE CARBOLIC ACID

DERIVATION.--A liquid consisting of several different constituents of coal tar, particularly creosol and phenol, obtained by fractional distillation.