Revue d'histoire de la pharmacie - Année 2004 - Volume 92 - Numéro 343 - Pages 391-404From dispensatio to « dispensation ». The verb to dispense and the substantive dispensation provide an opportunity to discover a pharmaceutical vocabulary sometimes fluctuating. The primitive base during the Middle- Age corresponds to operations preceding ingredients's mixing. This phase clearly defined, was intended to enable the controll of drugs's genuineness by the authorities. This words, out of pharmaceutical books, but under apothecars' pens don't designate always drugs' weighing and setting in order function but the tools. At the sixteenth and seventeenth century they correspond sometimes to furnitures. From the eigteenth to the begining of the twentieth century their use is reduced, falling to zero. To day, emerging from disuse, to dispense and dispensation, the pharmacutical profession looks back upon its origins. The present day chemist who does not prepare the majority of medicines does not dispense in the historical meaning. It is part of his function, it is his duty, to give at this two words a human, professional and scientific dimension. Le verbe « dispenser » et le substantif « dispensation » n'ont pas au Moyen Âge leur sens actuel. Ils désignent l'un des premiers gestes pharmaceutiques précédant la mixion des drogues et leur éventuelle cuisson. 14 pages Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.