Drachm

Drachm is a unit of weight in the apothecaries' system of weights. It is equivalent to 60 grains or 1/8 of an ounce. The term is derived from the Greek drachme, which was a weight of roughly the same value.

History

The drachm was originally an ancient Greek unit of weight, and later, a coin. The coin weighed one drachm (about 4.37 grams). The Greek word drachme means "a handful", from drassesthai, "to grasp". In the apothecaries' system, which was used by physicians and pharmacists, the drachm was a primary unit of weight.

Usage

In the British Imperial system of weights and measures, the drachm was used as a measure of both weight and volume. As a measure of weight, it was equal to 60 grains, or 1/8 of an ounce. As a measure of volume, it was equal to 1/8 of a fluid ounce. In the U.S. customary system, the drachm was used only as a measure of weight.

Modern Use

Today, the drachm is rarely used. The metric system, with its units of grams and kilograms, has largely replaced the apothecaries' system. However, the drachm is still occasionally used in the compounding of prescriptions.

See Also

• Apothecaries' system
• British Imperial system
• United States customary units
• Metric system

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