A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer includes an upper ring
and a lower ring secured together but rotatable with respect to each
other. The upper and lower rings define a plurality of reaction chambers
between them, which receive dry analyte test slides. A gear track formed
in the underside of the lower ring engages a pinion gear attached to a
stepping motor of the chemical analyzer in order to rotate the slide
cartridge. The slide cartridge is rotated under a sample fluid metering
device, which deposits a sample fluid on the test slides through a
plurality of spotter ports formed in the upper ring, and above a
reflectometer, which performs a colorimetric measurement on the spotted
test slides through viewing windows formed in the lower ring of the slide
cartridge. A chemical analyzer with which the slide cartridge may be used
includes a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device and a stepping
motor for rotating the slide cartridge.