VAN SLYKE APPARATUS / MANOMETRIC BLOOD GAS APPARTUS / VAN SLYKE BLOOD GAS APPARATUS

SLYKE MANOMETRIC APPARATUS The growth of medicine and its dependence on clinical chemistry derives from the development, in 1917, of Van Slyke's volumetric gas measuring apparatus (Fig. 3U) for determining carbon dioxide concentration, the first instrument designed specifically for the clinical chemistry laboratory, and shortly after that, the development by Folin and Wu of a protein-free filtrate method for determining blood sugar. These developments made the chemist immediately useful and necessary for the clinician. Now chemical analyses could keep up with the patient's changing clinical condition. Occurring about the time of the discovery of insulin, these advances brought the chemist from an annex of the mortuary into close relationship with the wards. For this reason the modern name, clinical chemistry, is a more valid description than the older term, chemical pathology (54).VAN SLYKE APPARATUS / BLOOD GAS MANOMETRIC APPARTUS / VAN SLYKE BLOOD GAS APPARATUS The Van Slyke apparatus is a classic laboratory device used for the determination of gases in liquid samples, such as blood or serum. It is particularly well-known for its use in measuring gas content through chemical reactions that release gas into a measurable volume. A Van Slyke apparatus on a wooden stand typically consists of the following components: Glass Parts: Reaction Chamber: A cylindrical glass container where the reaction to release the gas occurs. Manometer: A U-shaped or straight glass tube filled with a liquid (often mercury or water) to measure the pressure or volume of the gas released. Pipettes and Reservoirs: Glass pipettes for precise liquid handling and reservoirs for reagents. Stopcocks and Tubing: For controlling the flow of liquids or gases. Connecting Joints: Ground-glass connections for secure assembly. Wooden Stand: A solid and stable base, often made of varnished or polished hardwood, designed to hold the delicate glass parts securely. Adjustable clamps and mounts to ensure proper alignment of the apparatus and to prevent breakage during experiments.