Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2018 May 13

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May 13

What do these symbols mean?

Are the symbols in this medical formula units of measure? If so, what are they? SpinningSpark 11:21, 13 May 2018 (UTC)

"f" means fluid. The squiggle means ounce (see the bottom of the table at List of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions or Uncia (unit)). "i" is the roman numeral one, and when there are more than one "i", some styles of writing replace "j" as the last character (ij = 2, iij = 3, iiij = iv = 4). So one fluid ounce of the first two ingredients, and two fluid ounces of the third. PDF file here shows more related symbols. 85.76.74.235 (talk) 12:47, 13 May 2018 (UTC)

See Apothecaries' system. --catslash (talk) 16:25, 14 May 2018 (UTC)