21 and over       60 drops
15 years    about 33 drops    A few more or less if robust or weakly
12   "       "    30 drops       "
10   "       "    27 drops       "
8   "       "    24 drops       "
6   "       "    20 drops       "
5   "       "    17 drops       "
4   "       "    15 drops       "
3   "       "    12 drops       "
2   "       "     8 drops       "
1   "       "     4 drops       "

Exceptions to this rule are calomel and castor oil, when half an adult dose can be given between 12 and 18.

Opium is dangerous to children and old people and should be administered by a physician or trained nurse.

“Lest We Forget.” 
Common tables of measures. 
Apothecaries’ weight.

Apothecaries’ Weight is used in prescribing and mixing medicines

Table.

20 grains equal 1 scruple 3 scruples " 1 dram 8 drams " 1 ounce
12 ounces " 1 pound

The pound is the same as the pound Troy.  Medicines are bought and sold in quantities by Avoirdupois Weight.

[Nursing department 637]

1 grain                   equals    1 drop or 1 minim
60 grains or drops           "       1 teaspoonful
1 teaspoonful               "       1 fluid dram

8 drams (or 8 teaspoonfuls) make    1 fluid ounce
2 tablespoonfuls            make    1 fluid ounce

1/2 fluid ounce           is a          tablespoonful
2 fluid ounces          is a          wineglassful
4 fluid ounces          is a          teacupful
6 fluid ounces          is a          coffee cup
16 ounces (dry or solid) is a          pound
20 fluid ounces          is a          pint

Medicine chest.—­More important than the furnishing of the house is the medicine chest.  If you are beginning housekeeping let this be your first consideration.  Do not put it off because it is a little trouble and costs a few dollars.  Yon would not think of leaving your front room or your “spare room” half furnished.  Your health is of vastly more importance than the looks of your best rooms.  There may come a time when you cannot secure the doctor for several hours or get into a drug store.  Be prepared for this emergency and either fix up a home-made box with shelves, etc., or buy a regular medicine chest; in either case have a lock to it and the key where you can find it but where the children cannot reach it.

We give below a few of the necessaries and you will of course add to this list.  One mother writes that she went to the store and bought several tiny little bells and tied one of these bells around the neck of each of the bottles in her medicine chest that contained poison.  There was no danger of her getting the wrong bottle in the dark.  Contents of the Medicine Chest.