by: Joe Hing kwok Chu

bī is a kind of ancient spoon or ladle. Fang cun bi refers to a spoon that hold one cubic inch (of old Chinese measurement). It is about 2.74 ml (c.c.). Some classical medical literature used this term for measuring herb in powder form.  One fang cun bi of mineral type of herb is about 2 grams in weight. One fang cun bi of herb from plants is about 1 gram in weight.

匕 (音bī ）是量器。方寸匕 為古代量取藥末的器具名。其形狀如刀匕，大小為古代一寸正方，故名方寸匕。一方寸匕約等於2.74毫升。一方寸匕的金石礦物藥末其重約為2克。一方寸匕的草木藥末其重約為1克左右。