The above symbols are employed almost always in medical prescriptions. A prescription consists of the following parts: (1) The Superscription; (2) The Inscription; (3) The Subscription; (4) The Signature. The Superscription, which consists of the letter

The body or prescription contains the following: the Basis, or principal active ingredient; the Adjuvant, or Auxiliary, to assist its action; the Corrective, to correct or diminish some undesirable quality; the Vehicle, or Excipient, to give a suitable form for administration.

PRESCRIPTION.

 Superscription.
(Basis) Pot. Acet.

v

Inscription.
(Adjuvant) Tinct. Digitalis

j
(Corrective) Syr. Aurantii

j
(Vehicle) Dec. Scopar. ad

viij
Misce, fiat mist. Subscription.
Cpt. Cochl. mag. ii. 4ta. q.q. hora ex paul. aquæ Signature.