What Is This Tool?
This tool allows users to convert measurements from the scruple (apothecary), an old unit of mass historically used in pharmacy, into ounces, a common unit of mass in modern customary systems. It helps translate historical mass data into standardized units for easier analysis and use.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in scruples (apothecary) you want to convert.
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Select scruple (apothecary) as the source unit and ounce as the target unit.
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Click convert to see the value displayed in ounces.
Key Features
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Converts scruple (apothecary) to common avoirdupois ounces accurately.
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Supports historical and archival pharmaceutical data interpretation.
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Browser-based and easy to use without installation.
Examples
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10 scruples (apothecary) converts to approximately 0.457 ounces.
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24 scruples (apothecary) is about 1.1 ounces, matching the apothecary ounce definition.
Common Use Cases
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Interpreting and converting old medical prescriptions listing ingredients in apothecary units.
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Converting historical pharmaceutical or botanical mass measurements into modern metric or customary units.
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Reproducing and analyzing archival alchemical formulas requiring conversion to ounces.
Tips & Best Practices
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Confirm the ounce variant in use; this converter uses the common avoirdupois ounce.
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Use this tool primarily for historical or archival research contexts.
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Check multiple values to verify consistent conversion outcomes.
Limitations
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The apothecary scruple is an obsolete unit rarely used in modern applications.
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Conversion depends on historical definitions which may vary slightly due to grain weight differences.
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Conversion applies specifically to the avoirdupois ounce, not the troy ounce used for precious metals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a scruple (apothecary)?
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It is a historical unit of mass used in pharmacy equal to 20 grains or approximately 1.296 grams.
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Which ounce does this conversion use?
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This conversion uses the common avoirdupois ounce, defined as 28.349523125 grams.
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Why convert scruples to ounces?
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To interpret and analyze old pharmaceutical and medicinal measurements in standardized modern units.
Key Terminology
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Scruple (apothecary)
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A historical unit of mass used mostly in pharmacy, equal to 20 grains or about 1.296 grams.
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Ounce (avoirdupois)
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A common unit of mass in customary systems defined as exactly 28.349523125 grams.
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Grain
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A unit of mass historically used as a basis for the scruple; one grain equals approximately 64.79891 milligrams.