In descriptive matter, numbers under 100 to be in words; but print ‘90 to 100’, not ‘ninety to 100’.
Spell out in such instances as—
‘With God a thousand years are but as one day’; ‘I have said so a hundred times’.
Insert commas with four or more than four figures, as 7,642; but print dates without commas, as 1908; nor should there be commas in figures denoting pagination or numbering of verse, even though there may be more than three figures. Omit commas also in Library numbers, as—British Museum MS. 24456.
Roman numerals to be preferred in such cases as Henry VIII, &c.—which should never be divided; and should only be followed by a full point when the letters end a sentence. If, however, the author prefers the full title, use ‘Henry the Eighth’, not ‘Henry the VIIIth’.
Use a decimal point · to express decimals, as 7·06; and print 0·76, not ·76. When the time of day is intended to be shown, the full point . is to be used, as 4.30 a.m.
As to dates, in descriptive writing the author’s phraseology should be followed; e.g. ‘On the 21st of May the army drew near.’ But in ordinary matter in which the date of the month and year is given, such as the headings to letters, print May 19, 1862; not May 19th, 1862,[73] nor 19 May, 1862.
To represent pagination or an approximate date, use the least number of figures possible; for example, print:
pp. 322-30; pp. 322-4, not pp. 322-24. But print: pp. 16-18, not pp. 16-8; 116-18, not 116-8.