Apothecaries' system
Apothecaries' system
The Apothecaries' system (pronounced: /əˈpɒθɪˌkɛrɪz/), also known as the Apothecaries' weights and measures, is a historical system of mass and volume units that were used by physicians and apothecaries for medical recipes, and also sometimes by scientists. The system is an extension of the Avoirdupois system, which was used in the British Commonwealth and United States for most commodities except precious metals, drugs, and medicines.
Etymology
The term "Apothecaries' system" comes from the use of this system in apothecaries, which were the precursors to modern pharmacies. The word "apothecary" is derived from the Latin word apotheca, meaning a place where wine and other items are stored.
Units of the Apothecaries' system
The basic units of the Apothecaries' system are the pound, ounce, and grain. The system also includes the scruple and the dram, which are less commonly used.
- Pound (lb): The apothecaries' pound was divided into 12 ounces, a practice that comes from the Roman pound (libra), which was also divided into 12 ounces (uncia).
- Ounce (oz): The apothecaries' ounce was divided into 8 drams.
- Dram (dr): The apothecaries' dram was divided into 3 scruples.
- Scruple (s): The apothecaries' scruple was divided into 20 grains.
- Grain (gr): The grain is the smallest unit in the apothecaries' system and is the same in the avoirdupois and apothecaries' systems.
Related terms
- Avoirdupois system: A system of weights based on a pound of 16 ounces, which is the basis for the apothecaries' system.
- Troy weight: A system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones, which shares some similarities with the apothecaries' system.
- Imperial units: The system of weights and measures used in the British Commonwealth, which includes the apothecaries' system.
- United States customary units: The system of weights and measures used in the United States, which includes the apothecaries' system.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Apothecaries' system
- Wikipedia's article - Apothecaries' system
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