[PW] Re: "x" in Rx (prescription)

[Harry G. Osoff]

http://snipurl.com/wm32

opps sorry for the blank post

Harry G. Osoff
Information Architect


On Sep 18, 2006, at 9:23 AM, Jeanne Schramm wrote:

     The patron here is my mother.  She is wondering what the "x" in  
"Rx"
stands for. She asked her pharmacist and he has no idea.  I have  
found lots
of opinions, but I would like to get something from an authoritative  
source.
The main opinions surrounding Rx seem to focus on: 1. Latin for  
recipe, 2.
Corruption of the symbol for the Eye of Horus, the Egyptian symbol of
healing and good fortune,   3. Corruption of the ancient symbol for the
Roman god, Jupiter.
     The R originally was an R with a slash through the extended tail  
(and
the x was used when moveable type came along).
     Does anyone have any information as to which of these theories  
is the
one accepted in the medical and pharmacological communities?  TIA
     Jeanne Schramm, WLSC, W. Liberty, WV   26074
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