What is an Apothecary method?

Definition: The apothecary system (also known as the British Imperial Pharmaceutical System or the English system of weights and measures) is a system of units that was used in English-speaking countries before the adoption of the metric system. It is still sometimes used in the United States and the United Kingdom for measuring pharmaceutical ingredients.

Apothecary units: The apothecary system is based on the following units:

- Grain (gr)

- Scruple (℈): 20 grains

- Dram (ʒ): 3 scruples

- Ounce (℥): 8 drams

- Pound (℔): 12 ounces

Volume units: The apothecary system also includes a set of volume units, which are based on the grain and the minim (min).

- Minim (min): 1/60 of a fluid drachm

- Fluid scruple (℈ fl): 20 minims

- Fluid dram (fl ʒ): 3 fluid scruples

- Fluid ounce (fl ℥): 8 fluid drams

- Pint (pt): 16 fluid ounces

- Gallon (gal): 8 pints

Metric equivalents: The apothecary system is not based on the decimal system, so it can be difficult to convert apothecary units to metric units. However, the following table provides some approximate metric equivalents for common apothecary units:

| Apothecary Unit | Metric Equivalent |

|---|---|

| Grain (gr) | 64.8 milligrams (mg) |

| Scruple (℈) | 1.296 grams (g) |

| Dram (ʒ) | 3.888 g |

| Ounce (℥) | 31.104 g |

| Pound (℔) | 373.248 g |

| Minim (min) | 0.0616 milliliters (mL) |

| Fluid scruple (℈ fl) | 1.232 mL |

| Fluid dram (fl ʒ) | 3.700 mL |

| Fluid ounce (fl ℥) | 29.574 mL |

| Pint (pt) | 473.176 mL |

| Gallon (gal) | 3.785 liters (L) |