Abstract: A platelet reference control composition comprising goat blood cells shrunken to the size of human platelets.

Abstract: Method and automatic, electronic apparatus for detecting carriers of thalassaemia, especially beta thalassaemia minor, which involve measuring the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) of a blood sample from the subject. A descriminant preferably defined as the product (MCV).sup.2 MCH, the thalassaemia index is obtained and compared with a predetermined thalassaemia index threshold value.

Abstract: A transcutaneous pH measuring device is provided in which a known volume of fluid is brought into equilibrium with body fluids through a membrane on a portion of skin whose surface layers have been stripped away. The fluid contains a pH sensitive dye. Optical measurements of the transmission characteristics of the fluid are obtained when the fluid is in the optical path. During portions of each operating cycle, the fluid is driven back into the vicinity of the skin to pH equilibrate with body fluids while standardization measurements are obtained using an optical plug of known transmission characteristics in the optical path.

Abstract: A calibrating fluid for automated instruments for blood cell counting and hemoglobin determination comprising a sterile solution of oxyhemoglobin or other derivative products of hemoglobin and containing latex particles.

Abstract: A preweighed vial of lyophilized methemoglobin (ferrihemoglobin) provides a simple, stable, reproducible standard for colorimetric determination of total hemoglobin concentration in whole blood by the cyanmethemoglobin method. Conversion of the standard and of hemoglobin in blood samples to cyanmethemoglobin is accomplished with Drabkin's solution reconstituted from a dry powder and having an added non-ionic surface active agent (Brij-35). Color intensity is measured at 540 m.mu..