My very old Taber's says that gentian violet is "a dye derived from coal 
tar.  Widely used as a stain in histology, cytology and bacteriology.  Used 
therapeutically as a topical anti-infective.  It's chemical name is 
hexamethylpararosanilline chloride."

BTW I see Mexican mom's using it on sore anythings :-)  Pat in SNJ 

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