Micro-method of erythrocyte sedimentation

A micro-method of determining erythrocyte sedimentation in the blood of a patient, said method comprising

• a. introducing a blood sample into a vertical capillary tube having an anticoagulant heparin coating on the interior surface thereof,
• b. measuring the distance from the original level of the blood in said tube to the erythrocyte level at a predetermined time interval after the blood sample is introduced into the tube, and
• c. determining the angle of inclination of the straight sedimentation line in a plot of sedimentation distance against time as a measure of the pathological condition of said patient.