Swiss units of measurement
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A number of units of measurement were used in Switzerland to measure length, mass, etc. Metric system was optional in 1868, and has been compulsory since 1877.[1][2]
System before metric system[edit]
Units were varied and were not in fixed values. During the transition to the metric system, units were fixed.[1] Before 1856, almost every canton had its own system of units.[3]
Length[edit]
A number of units were used to measure length. One pied (1 fuss) was equal to 0.30 m, according to the fixed value defined during the transition to the metric system.[1][4] Some other units and their fixed values are given below:
1 ligne = 1/144 pied
1 linie = 1/144 pied
1 pouce = 1/12 pied
1 zoll = 1/12 pied
1 aune = 2 pied (or 4 pied[3])
1 elle = 2 pied
1 brache = 2 pied[3]
1 toise = 6 pied
1 ruthe = 6 pied
1 perche = 16 pied (or 10 pied[3])
1 lieue = 16 000 pied.[1][4] Lieue was used as a road measure.[3]
Area[edit]
One arpent was 400 pied2 or 1.44 ha
Mass[edit]
A number of units were used to measure mass.
Ordinary[edit]
One livre (pfund of the Zollverein) was equal to 0.500 kg according to the fixed value defined during the transition to the metric system.[1][3][4] Some other units and their fixed values are given below:
1 quintal = 100 livre.[3]
Medicine (apothecary or pharmacy)[edit]
One livre was equal to 0.375 kg according to the fixed value defined during the transition to the metric system.[1][3][4] Some other units and their fixed values are given below:
1 grain = 1/5760 livre
1 scruple = 1/288 livre
1 drachme = 1/96 livre
Capacity[edit]
Two main systems, dry and liquid, were used.
Dry[edit]
Several units were used to measure dry capacity. Some units are given below:
1 quarteron (divided into 1/4 and 1/16) = 10 emine = 15 L (0.4257 bushel)
1 double quarteron = 2 quarteron
1 sac = 10 quarteron.[3]
Quarteron is the volume of 30 livre of pure water at 4 °C.[3] Quarteron was equal to 5/9 of a cubic pied.[3]
Liquid[edit]
Several units were used to measure dry capacity. Some units are given below:
1 setier = 25 pot
1 muid = 4 setiers
1 pot = 1.5 L (1.585 quarts).[3] Pot was the bulk of 3 livres weight of pure water at the temperature of 4 °C. Pot was equal to 1/18 pied3 and was subdivided into 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 12.
- ^ Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. pp. 72_73.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. p. 84. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.