How to Learn the Apothecary Measuring System

The traditional apothecary was a person who concocted and sold herbal medical remedies to treat every type of condition, from insomnia to cancer to a toothache. He often had a shop that was stocked with hundreds of dried herbs in jars that he'd distribute with a unique system of measurement. Since ancient times, and until the adoption of the metric system by pharmacists in the twentieth century, only apothecaries used that system. Follow these steps to learn more about it.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Learn The Apothecary Measuring System Online

1. Gain a basic understanding of this unique measuring system online. Start your research at "The Apothecary System" Web site (see Resources below).

2. Learn to distinguish a dram from a scruple (or a scruple from a minim, for that matter) at "The Apothecaries' System of Mass" page at Wikipedia.com (see Resources below).

Learn The Apothecary Measuring System Formally

1. Learn that the apothecary measuring system measures in grains, drams and ounces. It relies on lower case roman numerals. This unique system was developed and used exclusively by apothecaries in the middle ages. The old system persists in some books.

2. Become an apprentice. That's the way it was done in apothecary shops for centuries. Find an apothecary or herbalist and learn from him or her. Learn how to mix herbs with a mortar and pestle, and study herbal interactions and usages. If you can't find formal classes, just ask to be taught personally.

3. Become a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. The apothecary measuring system is taught in those schools because students might be asked to convert from the old system. Consult the "Virtual Library: Pharmacy Page" Web site to find a list of Pharmacy Schools you can choose from (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Learning the apothecary measuring system costs little or nothing. Books can be obtained for free from the library or purchased for a pittance online.

• Remember that herbs may be natural, but they're also potent, so be aware of possible drug interactions. For instance, some herbs will hinder birth control pills from working.

• The apothecary measuring system and the avoirdupois system use some of the same names for measurements, like grains. They do not weigh the same in both systems, so make sure you know which you are using.

• Visit an ER or doctor if you are experiencing an extremely high fever. Have someone drive you or take a taxi.