Discrete analysis systems.

Discrete analysis systems are so called because the samples are treated and carried through the major part of the analytical process in separate containers. Such systems can be very simple involving only a diluting module and a colorimeter or be highly sophisticated multichannel machines. Up to the present time laboratory automation (or strictly 'mechanization') has been dominated by the continuous flow systems and discrete systems have not yet had time to establish themselves widely as serious competitors. In this paper I cannot attempt to give an evaluation of individual systems and I shall confine myself to a discussion of general principles and indicate how these systems may differ from one another.