title: [Memorandum on the origin of Rx, the signal be employed to the heading in the prescription].
abstract: The symbol variously written Rp. Rx. or R. is still employed by physicians to head their prescriptions. In our country, we have learned and believe that the origin of the symbol is an abbreviation of the Latin word for "recipe." In Europe, another suggestion of the origin of the symbol appears to represent the astronomical sign of the planet Jupiter. There is, however, no evidence to support this suggestion. As regards the Jupiter symbol it is probably that printer may have used the sign as the nearest approach he had in type to the abbreviated sign for recipe. It is believed that the confusion between the two symbols is due to a mere typographical coincidence. A careful examination of the various styles of writing the symbol, clearly shows that the sign was originally adopted as an abbreviation of the word "recipe." Recently, it has been suggested that the symbol originates in "the eye of Horus," but, as regards the eye of Horus symbol, much more still remains to be examined. Thus, I will suspend judgement until the facts of the matter become clear, and expect further researches in future.
authors.affiliation: the Japanese Society for History of Pharmacy.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohashi
mesh_terms: D000077406:History of Pharmacy; D049711:History, Modern 1601-; D013561:Symbolism