Convert Scruple (Apothecary) (s.ap) to Microgram (µg) instantly.
About these units
Scruple (Apothecary) (s.ap)
The scruple is an old apothecary unit equal to 20 grains or 1.2959782 grams, originating in ancient Greek and Roman medicine. Apothecaries used scruples for compounding herbal remedies, powders, and tinctures long before standardized metric systems were adopted. Its size made it ideal for preparing early pharmaceuticals where doses needed to be accurate but not excessively granular. Over centuries, the scruple appeared in medical recipes, early scientific writings, and even medieval charms and remedies. Although obsolete today, replaced by milligrams and grams, the scruple is vital for historians studying early medical texts, pharmacy records, and classical-era scientific practices.
Microgram (µg)
A microgram is one-millionth of a gram, essential in pharmacology, nutrition science, and chemical analysis. Many vitamins, especially fat-soluble ones like vitamin D and K, are prescribed or measured in micrograms, as exceeding recommended doses can be harmful. In environmental monitoring, pollutant levels—such as airborne particulate matter—are often expressed in micrograms per cubic meter. Researchers working with catalysts or rare biological compounds rely on microgram-scale measurements for precise experiments. The microgram is indispensable in fields requiring tight control over small masses that impact biological or chemical systems significantly.