122  B.  s.  proctor's  report  on  weights  and  measures. 
they  have  therefore  adopted  avoirdupois  ounces  and  pounds,  which  are  in 
general  use  both  in  Great  Britian  and  Ireland,  and  troy  grains,  which 
are  also  now  used  in  both  islands.  Drachms  and  scruples,  which  have  a 
different  value  on  the  two  sides  of  the  Irish  Sea,  are  not  used  in  their 
formulae  nor  acknowledged  in  their  table,  and  their  disuse  is  recom- 
mended. But  this  recommendation  is  not  likely  to  be  followed  ;  drachms 
and  scruples  will  still  be  used,  and  will  have  different  values  in  the  sister 
isles,  so  the  difficulties  will  continue  until  a  more  potent  remedy  is  dis- 
covered." 
Having  thus  referred  to  several  of  the  proposed  schemes  of 
amendment,  Mr.  Proctor  judiciously  observes  that  the  compara- 
tive merits  of  these  varying  projects,  can  only  be  considered  with 
reference  to  the  circumstances  under  which  they  are  to  be 
adopted,  or  the  conditions  intended  to  be  fulfilled.  And  he 
contemplates  the  subject  under  these  several  points  of  view. 
u  First,  supposing  that  we  have  to  reform  pharmaceutical  weights 
without  changing  any  other  system  now  in  use.  Secondly,  supposing  we 
have  to  arrange  a  system  of  weights  and  measures  for  general  adoption 
in  Great  Britain.  Thirdly,  supposing  we  have  to  contrive  or  select  a 
system  most  complete  in  itself,  and  consequently  most  deserving  of 
universal  adoption,  without  reference  to  any  systems  at  present  existing." 
''Under  the  circumstances  first  supposed,  we  have  to  provide  a  system 
convenient  in  itself,  harmonizing,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  with  troy  or 
avoirdupois  weights,  especially  the  latter,  bringing  into  coincidence  our 
weights  and  measure  of  capacity,  and  involving  in  the  change  as  little 
trouble  and  risk,  with  as  little  ambiguity  as  possible.  These  requirements 
appear  to  be  most  nearly  met  in  the  propositions  of  Mr.  Bell,  Dr.  Wilson, 
the  Irish  system,  and  the  modification  of  the  Irish  system,  which  has  been 
pointed  out  above.". 
The  writer  is  disposed  to  regard  this  last  as  involving  the  least 
inconvenience,  and  as  being  "  the  most  advantageous  change 
which  the  pharmaceutical  body  could  make  in  their  weights  and 
measures." 
"  Secondly,  supposing  we  have  to  select  a  system  which  shall  be  used 
for  all  purposes  throughout  Great  Britian,  there  is  not  the  same  necessity 
that  it  should  harmonize  with  the  troy  and  avoirdupois  weights,  though  a 
simple  relation  between  some  prominent  weight  in  each  is  desirable  as  a 
means  of  converting  quantity  of  one  scale  into  quantity  of  the  other. 
There  is  more  need  that  it  should  harmonize  with  the  weights  and  meas- 
ures of  other  countries ;  there  is  the  same  necessity  that  weights  and 
measures  should  correspond  with  one  another;  also  in  this  case  the 
harmony  with  our  arithmetic,  and  the  abstract  convenience  of  the  system 
must  have  a  larger  share  of  our  attention.    The  ultimate  decision  of  the 
