Disposable plastic pipettes (Dispettes) are commercially available for the ESR test. The results of the standard Westergren and the Dispette methods were statistically compared. A rapid method was also investigated, but was shown to be too erratic for clinical use. The l-hour Dispette method yields results which are comparable to those of the standard Westergren method. Dispettes have several advantages: they lessen the danger of mouth contact with blood, thus diminishing the possibility of contracting hepatitis; they are easier to set up accurately, and there is less danger of spilling blood; and they are disposable.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 269 (1974)