Some Evidence for the Specificity of the Feulgen Reaction

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Abstract
Tests were made to refute the objections of Carr against the specificity of the Feulgen reaction. The contention that the chromosomes are adsorbents capable of regenerating the color of the Schiff reagent was tested by staining chromosomes treated with nuclease. These were Feulgen negative although their protein base remained intact. The contention that selective affinity of the nucleus for the stain is due to destruction of cytoplasm by the acid hydrolysis was tested by hydrolyzing rat liver fixed in Borin, washing off solute, drying and comparing wt. loss with controls. The differences in wt. were negligible, showing that the fixed cytoplasm had not been rendered soluble by the hydrolysis. It was concluded that Carr''s objections are not valid.