Clear glass medicine spoons, 1850-1900

In the late 1800 and early 1900s, lots of medicines were dispensed in liquid form. Medicine spoons were one way of making sure that patients were taking a uniform dose of medicine. This was important because the capacity of teaspoons people had in their home wasn’t standard and this led to people taking more or less medicine than the pharmacist had intended.

After the switch to metric measurement in 1971, the dose of medicine in a medicine spoon was standardised to 5 ml.

In the late 1800 and early 1900s, lots of medicines were dispensed in liquid form. Medicine spoons were one way of making sure that patients were taking a uniform dose of medicine. This was important because the capacity of teaspoons people had in their home wasn’t standard and this led to people taking more or less medicine than the pharmacist had intended.

After the switch to metric measurement in 1971, the dose of medicine in a medicine spoon was standardised to 5 ml.