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scrupel

Scrupel is a historical unit of mass that appears as an alternative spelling or regional variant of the apothecaries’ weight scruple. In traditional pharmacological measurement, the scrupel refers to a small, specific amount used for compounding medicines and chemical preparations.

Definition and conversions: In the apothecaries’ system, one scrupel equals 20 grains. There are 24 scrupels

Historical usage: The scrupel was commonly used in medieval and early modern Europe for precise dosing of

Modern context: Today, the scrupel is largely obsolete outside discussions of historical pharmacology, antique texts, or

Etymology and terminology: The term derives from the Latin scrupulus, contributing to the modern word scruple.

See also: Scruple; Apothecaries’ weight; Pharmacopoeia; Metrication in pharmacy.

in
one
apothecaries’
ounce,
and
3
scrupels
make
up
one
dram,
with
eight
drams
composing
an
ounce.
Therefore,
one
scrupel
is
approximately
1.295
grams
(about
1.3
g).
These
relationships
place
the
scrupel
within
the
nested
hierarchy
of
grains,
scruples,
drams,
ounces,
and
pounds
used
in
historical
medicine.
medicines
and
preparation
of
remedies.
It
coexisted
with
other
small
units
such
as
grains
and
drams
and
was
included
in
pharmacopeias
and
merchant
weights
of
the
period.
As
measurement
systems
shifted
toward
metric
standards
in
the
19th
and
20th
centuries,
the
scrupel
fell
from
regular
use.
the
study
of
old
pharmacopeias.
Contemporary
medicine
and
pharmacy
use
metric
grams,
with
standardized
dosages
and
weights.
The
spelling
scrupel
appears
as
a
historical
or
regional
variant
in
some
sources,
whereas
most
modern
references
use
scruple
to
describe
both
the
unit
and
related
moral
concept.