TABLES OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
USED IN WEIGHING MEDICINE, &C.
There are two kinds of weights received in use in England, by one of which goldsad silver, and by the other, nearly all kinds of merchandize are estimated. In medi-cine, ¿e former (Troy weight) is adopted, by which the pound is divided as follows :—The Pound \ e twelve Ounces.
Ounce f _„„»„•„„ J eight Drachms.Drachm \ contains < three Scruples.Scruple ) ' twenty Grains.
The liquid measure also differs, one being 'proper for ale, the other for wine ; thelatter of which is adopted.
The wine gallon is defined Iby the laws of the kingdom, which is thus divided formedicinal purposes :—
The Gallon. C. \ ( eight Pints.
Pint I „„„».,;„= J sixteen Fluid Ounces.
Fluid Ounce ( contains \ eight Fluid Drachms.Fluid Drachm / ' sixty Minims.»
•„• Acid, alkaline, earthy, and metalic preparations, and salts of all kinds, should bekept in glass-stopped bottles.
The degree of heat is measured by Fahrenheit's thermometer, and when a boilingheat is prescribed, it is that which is marked by the 212th degree. A gentle heat iabetween the ninetieth and hundredth.
A TABLE OF PROPORTIONATE DOSES,
REGULATED FOR »LL AGES.
Ages.
I Suppose thecommon dose1 Drachm.
Proporticjji«te )Dose.
Weeks 7
1-15
4 grains.
Months 714
1-121-81-6
5 grains.
Í8 grains.12 grains. /
Years
14SI63
n
100
il a I
1*
5-64-5
25 grains.
1 scruple,i örach m.
2 scruples.
1 drachm.55 grains.
2£ scruples.
2 scruples.
UTENSILS
NECESSARY FOR THE FAMILY MEDICINE CHEST.
1. A two or three ounce graduated measure.
2. A large and small spatula for spreading ointments, plasters, &c.
3. Weights and scales; — a larger set to weigh ounces; — a smaller for grains, acrapies, and drachms.
4. A clyster syringe.
Ô A pint marble mortar and pestle.
6. A half-pint glass do.
7. A slab of marble, or of Wedgewood's composition, for sundry purposes.
8. A minim glass, &c. &c.
* A minim glass ig used for measuring the smallest portions of liquids, marked at regular intervalsReckoning by drops ¡3 sometimes deceiving, according to the neck of the vehicle whence they fall,as well as uncertain ; as just twice as many drops of any tincture is required for filling the samemeasure as water.