| abstract |
A reagent for and method of measuring leukocytes or hemoglobin or both in blood using a reagent which is water-soluble mixture containing: n (a) a polyoxyethylene-based nonionic surfactant represented by the formula: n n R.sub.1 --R.sub.2 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --H n n where R 1 is an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, R 2 is --O--, ##STR1## or --COO--, and n is an integer of 6 to 50, and (b) a buffer to adjust the pH of the solution within the range of 3-11 is disclosed. Measurements of hemoglobin in blood samples are of extreme importance to clinical diagnosis of such diseases as leukemia and anemia. Measurements of eosinophils, which are in the category of leukocytes, are important to the diagnosis of allergic conditions. |