For those of you who wish to try and get the article yourself, here is
the reference (it *was* done in mice, not rats--a pox on the mice
too).

FDA/NCTR-86/39 Chronic Toxicity and Carcinogenicity studies of gentian
violet in mice (final report). N. Littlefield National Center for
Toxicological Research, Jefferson AR. September 84

Now, does Jefferson AR mean Jefferson Arizona or is it the name of the
author?

If those sharp eyed of you are wondering how this 1984 article could
be referred to in the "Final Report on the Colouring Matters in Food
Regulation 1973", note that the Final Report was *first* published in
1987.  (The British do things differently from the rest of us).

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC