a procedure for estimating the sedimentation rate of red blood cells in fluid blood by mixing venous blood with an aqueous solution of sodium citrate and allowing it to stand in an upright standard pipette (200 mm long) filled to the zero mark; the fall of the red blood cells, in millimeters, is then observed in 1 hour; the normal rate for men is 0-15 mm (average, 4 mm), and for women 0-20 mm (average, 5 mm).