What does the Apothecaries system represent in terms of measurement?

The Apothecaries system represents a traditional system of measurements that was widely used in the practice of medicine and pharmacy, especially before the adoption of the metric system. It includes units such as grains, drams, ounces, and fluid ounces, which were standard for measuring both liquid and solid medications. This system started to decline in use during the 20th century and was largely replaced by metric measurements, particularly after the 1970s when there was a push towards standardizing dosing and measurements across the healthcare field. Understanding the historical context of the Apothecaries system illustrates its significance in the transition to modern measurement practices in medicine.