Direct determination of serum chloride with a semiautomated discrete analyzer

I show how mercuric thiocyanate reagent can be used in assaying serum chloride economically, rapidly, and precisely. I used a semiautomated discrete analyzer with direct concentration read-out capability but the method can easily be applied to many mechanized instruments. Linearity between concentration and color is obtained by adding appropriate amounts of mercuric nitrate to the reagent. As many as 300 samples can be assayed per hour, and the method is excellent for emergency use.