The P-word is "pour" (English: for) and it's sometimes abbreviated (both the "Item" and the "pour"). "Item" is the abbreviation hanging in the margin to the left of "pour".
In Latin, it's very common to see the abbreviation for "post" as the first word in paragraphs. In Greek, there is often an abbreviation for "Peri", so Latin and Greek manuscripts often have a P-word at the beginning, as well.
In Latin, it's very common to see the abbreviation for "post" as the first word in paragraphs. In Greek, there is often an abbreviation for "Peri", so Latin and Greek manuscripts often have a P-word at the beginning, as well.