Weights & Measures
The following is a list of Traditional Weights and Measures used in Traditional Medicine.
It is interesting to note that in most systems, the basic unit of weight began with the weight of a grain, usually of Wheat or Barley.
It is handy to have this page opened in a separate Tab or Window when studying the Formulas.
Approximates:
1 grain=65mg; 1 ½ grains= 100mg; 3 grains=200mg; 15 grains=1 gram; 30 grains=2 grams
1 scruple=1250mg; 2 scruples=2 ½ gm
1 dram=3 ½ grams; 2 drams=7gm
1 oz.=28 grams
The other way to approximate traditional weights when making formulas is to let 1 scruple equal 1 gram, 1 dram equal 3 grams, and 1 oz. equal 24 grams; this keeps the same proportion between each value.
Traditional set of Apothecary weights
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Modern Equivalents: 1 drop=1 minim (approx.)=1 fluid scruple (approx) 1 Tablespoon=3 teaspoonfuls 2 Tablespoons= 1 fluid ounce 1 fluid ounce=(rounded to) 2 tablespoons 1 cup=8 fluid ounces=(rounded to) 240mls 1 pint=1 fluid pound=2 cups=(rounded to) 500mls 1 quart=2 pints=2 fluid pounds=4 cups=(rounded to) 1 liter 1 gallon=4 quarts=8 pints 1 centiliter=0.34 fluid ounces 1 deciliter=3.38 fluid ounces 1 liter=1.06 quarts=(rounded to) 4 cups |
Imperial vs US Capacity
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The following symbols are commonly used in old medical texts to represent weights or measures, or else abbreviations relevant to the making of compounds.
The following show the proportions of an adult dose that should be given to children according to 2 different methods
Ancient Greek / Roman Weights
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Keration, Roman Siliqua
Thermos, seed of Lupin (2 keratia) Roman Obolus (Coin) Greek Obolos (Coin) Gramma, Roman Scripulum, Scruple Quanarius Triobolon (3 Oboloi) Drachme, Roman Drachma Hazelnut Denarius Exagium (weight of a coin) Aureos (weight of a gold coin) *see below Walnut Unchia, Roman Uncia (1/12 lb) Xestes, Roman Sextans (1/6 lb) Tetarton, Roman Quadrans (¼ lb) Litra, Roman Libra (1 lb) Mina, Roman Mina |
0.189 grams
0.378 grams 0.568 grams 0.648 grams 1.137 grams 1.7 grams 1.794 grams 3.411 grams 3.4 grams 3.4–3.8 grams 4.55 grams 8.18 grams 13.644 grams 27.288 grams 54.58 grams 81.86 grams 327.45 grams 436.6 grams |
*Weight of the Aureos was originally 8.18 grams from the time of Caesar but was reduced by later Emperors down to about 6 grams.
Ancient Greek / Roman Measures
Ancient Greek / Roman Measures
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Cheme
Concha, Small Kyathos, Roman Cyathus (1/12 sextarius) Oxybaphon, Roman Acetabulum Concha, Large Tetarton, Roman Quartarius (1/4 sextarius) Kotyle, Roman Hemina, Semisextarius Xestes, Roman Sextarius (1/6 Congius) Choinix Chus, Roman Congius Modiu (1/3 of Amphora) Urna, Roman Urna Amphoreus, Roman Amphora Metretes, Roman Metreta |
11.4 ml
23 ml 45.6 ml 68.4 ml 70 ml 137 ml 274 ml 547 ml 1.094 liter 3.282 liter 8.75 liter 13.13 liter 26.26 liter 39.36 liter |
Ayurvedic Weights
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Rattii or Gunja
Masa (8 Ratti or Gunja) Karsa (Tola) (12 Masa) Sukti (2 Karsas or Tola) Palam (2 Suktis) Prasrti (2 Palams) Kudava (2 Prasrti) Manika (2 Kudava) Prastha (2 Manika) Adhaka (4 Prastha) Drona (4 Adhakas) Surpa (2 Dronas) Droni (2 Surpas) Khari (4 Dronis) |
125 mg
1 gram 12 gram 24 grams 48 grams 96 grams 192 grams 384 grams 768 grams 3 kg., 73 grams 12 kg, 228 grams 24 kg, 576 grams 49 kg, 152 grams 196 kg, 608 grams |
Arabic and Unani Weights
Some of the following weights have different amounts supplied by different sources. Some of these measurements may have been different at different times. Alternate equivalents are given in brackets.
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Qirat
Daniq Dirham Mithqal Awiqya (Uqiya) Ratl Mann Makkuk |
195 (or 223) mg
520 (or 740) mg 3.125 g (0.11 oz. avoir.) 4.46 g (or 4.68 g) (0.157 oz.) 33.85 g (1.19 oz.) 406.25 g (or 450 g) (14.32 oz., or 144 drams) 816 g 2 kg, 40 grams |