200. Apothecaries' Weight is another form of Troy Weight, and is used in compounding medicines when in a dy, or solid form. The Unit of Measure is one pound = 5760 grains. The prescriptions of physicians are written in Roman notation, a small j being used for small i when final. Thus, 2 scruples are written Dij; 7 drams, 3 vij; 12 ounces, 3 xij. Apothecaries' Fluid Measures are those used in compounding medicines when in a liquid form. TABLE. 60 minims (or drops) = 1 fluid drachm Cong. 10. 8f3 128=f3 1024m 61440. (1.) Cong., from the Latin congius, means gallon. f3. f3. 0. Cong. The following measures, from vessels in common use, are sometimes used: In Apothecaries' Weight, the pound, ounce and grain are the same as in Troy Weight, but the ounce is differently divided It is a modification of Troy Weight made by the apothecaries of early times and applied to their own special pursuit. The peculiar characters used in this weight are supposed to have been taken from inscriptions upon the ancient monuments of Egypt. It was the design of apothecaries and physicians carefully to conceal from others all knowledge of the mixtures given as medicines, and hence the articles composing medicines were named in Latin, and arbitrary signs were used to express the quantity. The Standard Unit of Weight adopted by the United States is the Troy Pound of the United States Mint. It is equal to 22.794422 cubic inches of distilled water at its maximum density, the barometer standing at 30 inches. 201. Avoirdupois Weight is the common weight of commerce. It is used in weighing all articles sold by weight except precious metals, precious stones, liquids, &c. The Unit of Measure is one pound=7000 grains. Formerly in this weight there were 2240 pounds in a ton, and 112 pounds in a hundredweight, which was divided into four quarters of 28 pounds each. These are now called the long ton and the long hundred, and they are still the authorized weight of England, but in this country they are not used, except at the custom-houses for weighing goods imported from Great Britain, and sometimes for weighing coal, iron, and plaster. The following is the English Avoirdupois Table. 16 drams = 1 ounce T. cwt. qr. lb. OZ. 1=20=80=2240=35840 1= 4= 112= 1792 1 28 448 = 1= 16 Under the head of Avoirdupois, the following weights are in com 280 lb. Salt at U. S. Salt works = 1 Barrel. 1000 oz. Water = 1 Cubic foot. The origin of the term Avoir du pois is not certainly known and different theories are given to account for its adoption and use : 1. That it is from the Norman term Avoir du poids, which signifies goods or chattels of weight. 2. That it is from the old French Aver de pes, goods of weight. 3. That it is from an old French verb Averer, to verify. 4. That it is from the French Avoir du poids, to have weight. The following table shows the weight of a bushel of the commodities named in the left hand column, as fixed by statute in the States named at the top: |