FIELD: analytical methods in medicine. ^ SUBSTANCE: method comprises mixing blood sample to be examined with anticoagulant, placing resulting solution into vertically oriented capillary, and measuring, with equal time intervals, height of erythrocyte-free plasma layer. More specifically, blood with anticoagulant is poured by means of automatic dispensing means into hematocrit capillary, lower end of which is tightly sealed, capillary is placed vertically in centrifuge pocket, and measurement of the height of erythrocyte-free plasma layer is performed, with equal time intervals, at angular velocity not higher than 50 ppm over a specified period of time. From data obtained, one determines maximum erythrocyte sedimentation velocity value and plots corresponding graph. Proposed device contains pockets for vertically positioning capillaries with test blood dose and measuring means as well as above-mentioned centrifuge having removable rotor mounted horizontally on motor shaft and control block enabling operation o
