A SIMPLE METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF TOTAL PROTEIN CONTENT OF PLASMA AND SERUM. I. A FALLING DROP METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY1

Abstract

The specific gravity of a fluid is detnd. by the time required for a drop of definite size to fall through a medium with which it is not miscible. This is in accordance with Stokes law for the velocity of falling bodies. By a system of standardization and by the use of methyl salicylate and mineral oil as medium, the specific gravity of blood plasma or serum can be detnd. much more simply and quickly than by methods heretofore described. The max. difference between the results so obtained and that detnd. by a 2 cc. pyknometer was 4 X 10-4.