METRIC MEASURE
The metric system is a system of weights and measures expressed in the decimal scale. The principal units with which we are concerned are:
| The liter—L. | Cubic centimeter—c.c. |
| The gram—gm. | Centigram—cgm. |
| Milligram—mgm. | |
These units have prefixes to show how they are divided decimally, i.e.:
deci.—0.100
centi.—0.010
milli.—0.001
Units of Weight
| 10 milligrams | = | 1 centigram | (cgm.) |
| 10 centigrams | = | 1 decigram | (dgm.) |
| 10 decigrams | = | 1 gram | (gm.) |
| 10 dekagrams | = | 1 hektogram | (hgm.) |
| 10 hektograms | = | 1 kilogram | (kilo.) |
| 1000 kilograms | = | 1 metric ton |
A cubic centimeter of water weighs 1 gram; 28.35 grams = 1 ounce.
A liter of water weighs 1 kilogram; 1 kilogram of water = 2.2 lb.
Household Weights and Measures
| 4 saltspoons | = 1 tsp. | ||
| 3 tsp. | = 1 tbs. | ||
| 4 tbs. | = ¼ cup or ½ gill | ||
| 8 tbs. | = ½ cup or 1 gill | ||
| 16 tbs. | = 1 cup or ½ pint | = 8 oz. | = 227 gm. |
| 2 cups (c.) | = 1 pint | = 454 gm. | |
| 2 pints (pt.) | = 1 quart (qt.) | = a little less than 1 liter. | |
| 4 qt. | = 1 gal. | ||
| 2 tbs. butter | = 1 ounce (oz.) | ||
| 2 cups butter (solid) | = 1 pound (16 oz.) | ||
| 2 cups granulated sugar | = 1 pound | ||
| 2½ cups powdered sugar | = 16 oz. | = 1 lb. | |
| 4 cups flour (sifted) | = 16 oz. | = 1 lb. | |
| 1 pt. milk or water | = 16 oz. | = 1 lb. | |
| 1 pt. chopped meat | = 16 oz. | = 1 lb. | |
| 10 medium size eggs (with shells) | = 1 lb. | ||
| 8 eggs, without shells | = 1 lb. | ||
| 2 cups rice | = 1 lb. | ||
| 4 tbs. butter | = 2 oz. | = ¼ cup | |
| 2 tbs. sugar | = 1 oz. | ||
| 4 tbs. flour (sifted) | = 1 oz | ||
| 4 tbs. coffee (powdered) | = 1 oz. | ||
| 2 tbs. powdered lime | = 1 oz. | ||
| 2 tbs. lemon juice | = 1 oz. | ||
| 2 tbs. orange juice | = 1 oz. | ||
| 1 glass orange juice | = 8 oz. or ½ pint | ||
| 2⅔ cup oatmeal | = 1 lb. | ||
| 4¾ cup rolled oats | = 1 lb. | ||
28.35 grams = 2 tablespoons = 1 ounce of the following substances: arrowroot, barley flour, brandy, butter, grape juice, lemon juice, orange juice, molasses, cream, dry peptonoids, liquid peptonoids, milk (whole, skimmed), buttermilk, malted milk, rice flour, oatmeal, olive oil, wine.
Materials requiring 3 tablespoons to weigh 28.35 gm. or 1 oz.:—corn meal, farina, gum gluten flour, Graham flour, white flour.
Material requiring 4 tbs. to weigh 1 oz.: cocoa.
The standard measuring cup holds 8 ounces or 16 tablespoonfuls.
| 1 ordinary glass (water) | = | 8 ounces |
| 1 coffee cup | = | 8 ounces |
| 1 tea cup | = | 6 ounces |
| 1 wine glass | = | 2 ounces |
The following list shows the approximate weights and measures of the foods comprising dietaries:
| Asparagus, 8 stalks, E.P. | = 2 ounces |
| Apple (1 medium size) | = 5 ounces |
| Bread, 1 slice, home-made, 4 in. × 3½ in. × ½ in. | = 1 ounce |
| Bread, 1 slice, baker’s, 4 in. × 3½ in. × ¾ in. | = 1 ounce |
| Bread, 1 slice, whole wheat, 2½ in. × 2¾ in. × ¼ in. | = .7 ounce |
| Bread, 1 slice, corn, 3 in. × 3 in. × ½ in. | = 2 ounces |
| Bread, muffin, 1 small, or biscuit | = ½ ounce |
| Banana, 1 medium size | = 5 ounces |
| Chicken, 1 serving | = 3 ounces |
| Chicken (creamed) 2 tbs. | = 1½ ounces |
| Cream, 2 tbs. | = 1 ounce |
| Custard (soft, ½ cup) | = 4½ ounces |
| Custard (baked, ½ cup) | = 4 ounces |
| Cream (ice, ½ cup) | = 4 ounces |
| Custard (rice, ½ cup) | = 3½ ounces |
| Dates (3 medium size) | = 1 ounce |
| Eggs (scrambled, ¼ cup) | = 2 ounces |
| Eggs (poached, 1 egg) | = 1½ ounces |
| Fish, medium serving, 2½ in. × 3 in. | = 2½ to 3 ounces |
| Honey, 4 tsp. | = 1 ounce |
| Hominy (cooked, ½ cup) | = 4 ounces |
| Lamb chop, E.P., 2 × 2 × ½ inch | = 1.6 ounces |
| Lemon or other jellies, ½ cup | = 3.8 ounces |
| Steak (sirloin), 3 × ½ × ¾ in. | = 3 ounces |
| Vegetables: | |
| Beets, 1 medium size (4 slices) | = 2 ounces |
| Carrots, ⅓ cup diced | = 2½ ounces |
| Peas (canned or drained), ⅓ cup | = 3 ounces |
| Potatoes, baked, sweet, 1 medium size | = 6 ounces |
| Potatoes, baked, white, 1 medium size | = 3 ounces |
| Spinach, cooked, 1 serving, ½ cup | = 4 ounces |
| Tomatoes, 1 medium size—fresh | = 3 to 4 ounces |
| Soups: | |
| Cream, ½ cup | = 4 ounces |
| Clear soup, 1 cup | = 7½ ounces |
Percentage Calculation
A percentage of a number is the result obtained by taking the stated number of hundredths of it. The rate per cent. is a fraction whose denominator is 100 and whose numerator is the given number of hundredths; thus 6% of a number is 6/100 of that number.
The method of figuring the per cent. of foodstuffs in a food material is simple. Milk, for example, has a percentage composition of 3% protein, 4% fat, and 5% sugar. To find the definite amounts of these foodstuffs in 1 ounce of milk it is best to reduce the ounce to grams, since the gram is the unit of measurement generally used.
| 1 ounce | = | 28.35 grams |
| In 1 oz. there will be 28.35 × .03 | = | 0.85 gram protein |
| In 1 oz. there will be 28.35 × .04 | = | 1.13 grams fat |
| In 1 oz. there will be 28.35 × .05 | = | 1.41 grams sugar |