Gentian Violet

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Are there any uses for Gentian Violet in the workshop or garden ? (Before I chuck it away !)

Bob

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

You could try to mix with methylated spirits and shellac and see if it works for marking out.

Thor

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Isn’t it an indicator (like litmus)?

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

It used to be medical oxidant to kill off infection, subsequently found to be carcegenic.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Apparently it is useful for colouring engineering students!

Popular campus ‘purpling’ practice under review in wake of Health Canada warning

Robert.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

If it colours meths then it will be useful for G1 and 16mm modellers to stain bio ethanol used as fuel in small engines to distinguish it from water. Strong advice that clubs insist on non-clear fuel at meetings following nasty accident a couple of years ago.

[DodParticipant @dod]

According to Spike Milligan’s book “Gentian Violet has only one use – it cures crabs”

[John Haine]

On John Haine Said:

Isn’t it an indicator (like litmus)?

Yes it is that too.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I’ve seen  potassium permanganate solution in plastic bags as purple bombs. Mis spent youth clearly, not me of course.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Much more interesting to put glycerin on potassium permanganate…..

[Dod]

On Dod Said:

According to Spike Milligan’s book “Gentian Violet has only one use – it cures crabs”

Is that associated with the blue ointment as used in the RN called “crab fat”.

Hence all RAF personnel wearing RAF blue uniforms were referred to by matelots as “crabs”?

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

My uncle who was in the RAF always referred to the army as pongos. Internet suggests this comes from the name of a great ape in a zoo

[duncan webster 1]

On duncan webster 1 Said:

My uncle who was in the RAF always referred to the army as pongos. Internet suggests this comes from the name of a great ape in a zoo

My family (Royal Navy) explains it as “Where the Army goes, the pongos”, but of course I would never say such a thing.

George

[Robert Atkinson 2]

On Robert Atkinson 2 Said:

Much more interesting to put glycerin on potassium permanganate…..

Very true! But trying to time the reaction with the airbourne flight of a Keil Kraft or such like kit was sometimes challenging 🙂

[Author]

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