Milligram per cent

Milligram per cent (mg%) is a traditional unit of measure used to signify concentration. Historically, the 'mg%' notation was employed to indicate the mass (in milligrams) of a particular chemical present in 100 milliliters of a solution, such as blood. Despite its conventional usage, it has certain limitations and ambiguities which led to the preference of other units of measurement.

Origin and Interpretation

The symbol 'percent' is derived from the Latin phrase "per centum," which translates to "by the hundred". Given that the mathematical representation of 'percent' is mg%' is 'milligrams divided by 100'. The notation 'mg%' effectively means 'mg/100'. This depicts a unit of mass rather than a true concentration, which typically requires a ratio of mass to volume.

Usage and Transition

The 'mg%' unit, while historical in nature, has been a significant tool in expressing concentrations, especially in medical and scientific fields. Over time, the ambiguities associated with it led to the preference for clearer units:

• mg/dL: Stands for milligrams per deciliter. This has become more prevalent in medical testing, especially in tests measuring substances in blood, such as glucose.
• SI Units: The International System of Units (SI) brought about standardized units for scientific measurements. In the context of concentration, units like 'mg/L' (milligrams per liter) are more commonly used.

Example

Consider the measurement of ethanol concentration in plasma. If it's denoted as 0.1 mg%, this could lead to misinterpretation. To provide clarity, this concentration is better represented as '0.1 mg/dL', meaning that there is a mass of 0.1 milligrams of ethyl alcohol for every 100 milliliter volume of the solution.

Current Relevance

While 'mg%' has largely been phased out in favor of more precise units of measure, understanding its historical significance and context is crucial, especially when interpreting older scientific literature or medical records. Modern conventions prioritize units that eliminate ambiguity and potential for misinterpretation, thereby ensuring consistency and clarity in scientific and medical communications.

See Also

• International System of Units (SI)
• Concentration
• Deciliter
• Gram per litre

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‎ Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Milligram per cent for any updates.

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