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

[Druzz]

DEAR JEANNE SCHRAMM:
Rx is not an R and an X, but the extension of
the "tail" of the R cutted by a line, indicating the
presence of one of the very common Latin
"abbreviationes".

So, Rx stands for "recipe" [= Latin "take"], not
the complete word, of course, but an abbreviation
at the very beginning of a medical prescription.
Latin "recipe" is the imperative form of the verb
"recipere" = "to receive", "to take" etc.

In other way of saying the same thing: from
Middle Ages onward, "doctors" did not write the
complete Latin word "recipe", but just an R
(with its long tail), more a line cutting that tail,
for indicating to the reader the use of an
abbreviation. There's no good study of medieval
Latin without the study of these "abbreviationes"...

With the advent of the press, that abbreviation in
particular came to be made by a single block of
wood/metal or by two of them (Rx or R x).

It is well know the kidding of Mr. Freud's teacher,
that medical clinician Charcot (1825-1893), about the
"recipe" in old times prescribed for "hysterical" women:
"Rx.: Homo cum penis normalis; repetatur".

Cordially,
Druzz (Evandro da Nobrega)
+++++++++++++++++++++
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeanne Schramm" <jeanne.schramm at gmail.com>
To: <list at project-wombat.org>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 10:23 AM
Subject: [PW] "x" in Rx (prescription)


>    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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