Foundations of Term Building (Nominativus and Genitivus)
Pharmaceutical names are typically constructed according to a strict grammatical model. The dosage form in the nominative case (Nominativus) is always placed first, followed by the active substance name in the genitive case (Genitivus).
For example, to translate the phrase "dibazole tablets", the construction Tabulettae Dibazoli is used, where Tabulettae is the head word and Dibazoli is the modifier. Similarly, expressions such as "amicazole ointment" (Unguentum Amicazoli), "xeroform ointment" (Unguentum Xeroformii), and "papaverine solution" (Solutio Papaverini) are formed.
If a plant part is part of the composition, it also follows this rule. The form is specified first, then the plant part in the genitive case (often plural), and finally the plant name itself. Examples include "mint leaf infusion" — infusum foliorum Menthae or "eucalyptus leaf infusion" — infusum foliorum Eucalypti. Commonly encountered herbal components include calendula flowers (flores Calendulae), coltsfoot leaf (folium Farfarae), marshmallow root (radix Althaeae), and anise fruits (fructus Anisi).
In addition to nouns, adjectives are frequently present in terms, agreeing with the head word. An example is "camphor oil solution" — solutio Camphŏrae oleosa. Another example of complex agreement is "compound lead plaster" (emplastrum Plumbi compositum). Brand-name drugs occupy a special place: they are enclosed in quotation marks in the nominative case and remain uninflected, such as "Cholenzym" tablets — tabulettae "Cholenzymum" or "Cindol" suspension — suspensio "Cindolum".
Dosage forms and pharmacological groups
For accurate translation, it is necessary to know the Latin names of basic drug forms and medication groups. The following forms regularly appear in prescriptions:
- Ointments and liniments: ichthammol ointment (unguentum Ichthyoli), dermatol ointment (unguentum Dermatoli), synthomycin liniment (linimentum Synthomycini).
- Solutions and drops: adrenaline solution (solutio Adrenalini), alcoholic iodine solution (solutio Iodi spirituosa), "Denta" drops (guttae "Denta").
- Suppositories: rectal suppositories (suppositoria rectalia), "Anaesthesol" suppositories (suppositoria "Anaesthesolum"), vaginal "Osarbon" suppositories (suppositoria vaginalia "Osarbonum").
- Teas / Herbal mixtures (species): choleretic tea (species cholagogae), bitter tea (species amarae), antiasthmatic tea (species antiasthmaticae).
- Solid forms: furatsilin tablets (tabulettae Furacilini), coated mycoheptin tablets (tabulettae Mycoheptini obductae), "Aevit" dragees (dragée "Aëvitum").
It is also important to know how to name pharmacological groups. For example, diuretics are translated as remedia diuretica, antineoplastics as remedia antineoplastica, contraceptives as remedia contraceptiva, and thyrostatics as remedia thyreostatica.
Using the Imperative (Imperativus)
In prescription formulas, the physician gives direct orders to the pharmacist using imperative verbs. These commands always appear at the beginning of the prescription line.
Key verbs and examples of their translation:
- Recipe (Take): Recipe Emulsi Synthomycini 10,0 (Take Synthomycin Emulsion 10.0).
- Da (Dispense): Da 10 ml solutionis Adrenalini (Dispense 10 ml of Adrenaline solution).
- Misce (Mix): Misce 10 ml tincturae Convallariae et 15 ml tincturae Valerianae (Mix 10 ml of Lily of the Valley tincture and 15 ml of Valerian tincture).
- Adde (Add): Adde 5 ml olei Vaselini (Add 5 ml of Liquid Petrolatum).
- Sterilisa (Sterilize): Sterilisa 20 ml olei Ricini (Sterilize 20 ml of Castor Oil).
- Praescribe (Prescribe): Praescribe Mycoseptinum (Prescribe Mycoseptin).
The verb valere (to be well), used for greetings and farewells, deserves special mention. The form Vale is used when addressing a single person, while Valete is used for multiple people.
Passive constructions and Subjunctive (Conjunctivus Passivi)
An alternative way to express an order in a prescription is to use the subjunctive mood in the passive voice. In this case, the action is stated as a necessity. In Russian, such constructions are translated with the words "Let it be dispensed" or the infinitive "Dispense".
The choice of verb form depends on the noun's number:
- Singular: Detur oleum Eucalypti (Let eucalyptus oil be dispensed); Detur solutio Piracetami (Dispense piracetam solution).
- Plural: Dentur suppositoria (Let suppositories be dispensed); Dentur globuli vaginales (Dispense vaginal globules).
In addition to the verb "dispense", the forms Sterilisetur (let it be sterilized) are often used, for example: Sterilisetur solutio Novocaini (Let procaine solution be sterilized), as well as Repetatur (let it be repeated), for example: Repetatur unguentum (Let the ointment be repeated).
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What is the exact word order in multi-word pharmaceutical terms with adjectives (e.g., camphor oil solution)?
In multi-word terms, the head word (noun in the nominative case) comes first. It is followed by uncoordinated modifiers (nouns in the genitive case), and the adjective is placed after the noun. According to the "closure" rule, coordinated modifiers (adjectives) characterizing the form or other properties are placed at the very end of the phrase. For example, in the term solutio Camphŏrae oleosa, the head word solutio comes first, followed by the substance Camphŏrae, and the adjective oleosa concludes the phrase.
What types of herbal teas/mixtures (species) exist in Latin besides choleretic, bitter, and antiasthmatic?
Sources mention the following types of mixtures: pectoral — species pectoralis, diuretic — species diureticae, laxative — species laxantes, sedating — species sedativae, and gastric — species stomachicae.
In which grammatical case are the drug name and its form placed after the verb Recipe?
The choice of case depends on the prescribing method. If a ready-made dosage form is prescribed with the number of units specified (e.g., tablets or suppositories), its name is put in the accusative case (Accusativus), and the substance name itself is in the genitive case (Genitivus). However, if weight or volume is specified (in grams or milliliters), both the dosage form and the drug name are put in the genitive case (Genitivus).
What standard prescription abbreviations are used for the verbs Misce, Da, Signa?
Sources explicitly state: Misce — M., Signa — S.; the combinations "Mix. Dispense. Label" and "Dispense. Label" are written as M.D.S. and D.S., respectively.
How to translate the standard prescription phrase "Dispense such doses in number..." into Latin?
This standard prescription phrase translates into Latin as Da tales doses numero... (or in the passive form Dentur tales doses numero...). This formulation is used when prescribing dosed drug forms (e.g., tablets, suppositories, or ampoules). In prescriptions, it is often written as the standard abbreviation D.t.d. N. followed by the required number of doses.
To remember the difference between the singular and plural passive voice, pay attention to the letter «n»: Detur is singular (let it be dispensed), while Dentur with the letter «n» is plural (let them be dispensed).
Class and exam questions
How to correctly translate "dibazole tablets" into Latin?
Translation follows the Nominativus + Genitivus rule. The correct option is Tabulettae Dibazoli, where the dosage form is in the nominative case, and the substance is in the genitive.
What is the difference between the verbs Da and Detur in a prescription?
Da is the imperative mood form meaning the direct instruction "dispense". Detur is the passive subjunctive form translated as "let it be dispensed" or "dispense".
How does the verb valere change when greeting or saying goodbye?
When addressing a single person, the singular form Vale (hello / goodbye) is used. When addressing multiple people, the plural form Valete is used.
What else to study on this topic
- Rules for matching adjectives with nouns in complex pharmaceutical terms (using solutio Camphorae oleosa as an example).
- Features of translating plant part names (flores, folium, radix, fructus, cortex) in multi-component prescriptions.
- Specifics of writing commercial and brand-name drugs in quotation marks (e.g., dragée "Undevitum").
- Use of conjunctions in complex prescription phrases when listing components (e.g., the conjunction et).
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Other topics in the section "Verb. Imperativus. Conjunctivus"
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