WEIGHTS  AND  MEASURES,  ETC. 
371 
are  able  to  compare  our  Apothecaries'  weights  with  our  Metri- 
cal weights  : — 
APOTHECARIES'  WEIGHTS.  THE  METRICAL  WEIGHTS. 
Ounces,  Grammes. 
Approximate.  Correct. 
32  1000  995.302 
16  500  497.650 
8  250  248.825 
4  125  124.412 
1  31  31.103 
One  drachm.  4  3.887 
15  grains.  1  .972 
It  must  be  remembered  that  1000  cubic  centimetres,  or  one 
litre  of  distilled  water,  weighs  exactly  1000  grammes,  or  1  kilo- 
gramme. 
I  propose  to  introduce  the  Metrical  system  into  the  British 
Pharmacopoeia,  side  by  side  with  our  own  formulae,  throughout 
the  work,  that  we  may  have  the  advantage  of  both,  and  able  to 
make  ourselves  fully  acquainted  with  the  Metrical  system,  in 
case  this  Government  should  order  its  use ;  giving  full  tables  of 
explanation  and  comparison  with  our  own  weights.  The  follow- 
ing gives  an  example  of  the  Apothecaries'  weight  and  the  Impe- 
rial measure  as  found  in  the  London  formula, with  their  respective 
value  in  Metrical  equivalents,  with  a  separate  column  to  show 
how  it  would  appear  in  the  Metrical  system  :  — 
TINCT.  BELLADONNA. 
TINCTURE  OF  BELLADONNA. 
Metrical  Equivalents.  Metrical  System. 
Take  of  Dried  Belladonna  Leaves  4  oz.  125  110 
"  Proof  Spirit,  fluid  40  oz.  1135  1000 
I  think  it  would  be  unwise  to  alter  our  present  weights  and 
measures,  as  any  alteration  would  be  fraught  with  inconvenience, 
and  perhaps  danger.  Since  the  Metrical  system  is  already  in 
use,  in  France,  Holland,  Belgium,  Lombardy,  Greece,  Switzer- 
land, Sardinia,  Spain,  and  the  States  of  South  America,  and 
coming  into  operation  in  Portugal  in  1862,  let  us  keep  as  we 
are  until  we  change  for  this,  the  only  Decimal  system  in  exist- 
ence, the  beauty  and  perfection  of  which  claims  for  it  a  pref- 
erence in  every  civilized  nation. — London  Pharm.  Journ., 
May,  1859. 
