Apothecary System Overview
The apothecary system is a system that was created in old England to measure weight and volume. It is primarily used by physicians and pharmacists to write medication dosages.
Units in Apothecary System
- The apothecary system is based on the grain as a measurement of weight, and the fluid ounce as a measurement of volume.
- The minim, fluid dram (fl dr), and fluid ounce are the measurements of volume.
- The ounce is the name of units of mass, weight, or volume derived from the uncia, an Ancient Roman unit of measurement.
Usage and Evolution
- The apothecaries’ system of measures is a historical system of volume units based on the fluid ounce.
- It was commonly used in the past by pharmacists and physicians as the system of weights and measures for prescribing and dispensing medications.
How It Works?
- The apothecary system uses weight and volume as divisions of measurement including ounces, gallons, pints and quarts.
- When dealing with weight, the Apothecaries’ system uses pounds, ounces, drachms, scruples, and grains with specific conversions.
Relevance Today
- Pharmacists still commonly use the apothecary system as their main system of measurement.
- The metric system is the legal standard of measurement for pharmacy and medicine in the United States.
Terminology and Application
- The word apothecary is derived from ancient Greek. It is the identification of an establishment or individual who dispenses medical materials.
- Apothecary System Traditionally, this system originated as the system of weights and measures for dispensing and prescribing medications for apothecaries, the historical pharmacists, and alchemists.