Traditionally it had other antifungal uses. Once I even checked out a children's book which told about using GV to paint a mother cow's bottom area after she delivered! It was used for other purposes by MDs regularly, though now it is not taught at all in Medical school for treating thrush (according to a friend who recently finished at a top-ranking program.) This may vary. But, I found this on Medline: Dermatology 1999;199(3):231-6 Effect of gentian violet, corticosteroid and tar preparations in Staphylococcus-aureus-colonized atopic eczema. It reduced the Staph and was said to demonstrate high antibacterial efficacy." Hmmmm...how does this apply for the latest journal club article? and this: Am Fam Physician 1996 Oct;54(5):1687-92 Topical antifungal agents: an update. Diehl KB Medical Center of Delaware, Wilmington, USA. So many topical antifungal agents have been introduced that it has become very difficult to select the proper agent for a given infection. Nonspecific agents have been available for many years, and they are still effective in many situations. These agents include Whitfield's ointment, Castellani paint, gentian violet, potassium permanganate, undecylenic acid and selenium sulfide. Specific antifungal agents include, among others, the polyenes (nystatin, amphotericin B), the imidazoles (metronidazole, clotrimazole) and the allylamines (terbinafine, naftifine). Although the choice of an antifungal agent should be based on an accurate diagnosis, many clinicians believe that topical miconazole is a relatively effective agent for the treatment of most mycotic infections. Terbinafine and other newer drugs have primary fungicidal effects. Compared with older antifungal agents, these newer drugs can be used in lower concentrations and shorter therapeutic courses. Studies are needed to evaluate the clinical efficacies and cost advantages of both newer and traditional agents. BTW, I had trouble sending this, although I have sent in the past...I think it might be because I can receive with either.com or .net after my Email address...the server said I was not subscribed although I have been receiving posts all along! Amy Kwilinski LLL Leader, Fort Wayne, IN *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html