SIGNATURE

SIGNATURE (from Latin signatura - designation). 1) A label attached to a medicine container and containing an inscription indicating the prescription number, date of preparation, the patient's and physician's names, the composition of the medicine, and the signatures of those who prepared and checked it. In 1929 in the USSR, signatures were abolished. Only in cases where it is necessary to keep the original prescription in the pharmacy as an expense document (e.g., when dispensing narcotic substances), a S. is issued instead. In all other cases, the prescription is returned to the patient, and only a label with instructions for use is attached to the medicine container. Abroad in most countries, S. were also abolished long ago. S. facilitated the identification of medicines since they were attached to the containers and contained a copy of the prescription. 2) Paracelsus proclaimed the doctrine of S., by which he meant signs that allow one to guess against which disease a given plant should be applied (signa naturae): thus, perforated St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is useful for puncture wounds; saxifrage (Saxifraga), which destroys rocks, is useful against stone disease; salep with tubers resembling male sexual organs should be useful for impotence, etc.