Action of gentian violet on Mucosus capsulatus group

Abstract

It has recently been shown by Churchman1 in two interesting communications bearing on the subject that the aniline dye, gentian violet, has a selective bactericidal action on certain bacteria. The action of the dye has been spoken of as bacteriostatic, indicating that the growth of some species of bacteria is inhibited. In addition to this inhibiting influence, Churchman believes the substance has also a very definite bactericidal action. It was shown in the publications referred to that the action of gentian violet as a bacteriostatic or bactericidal agent presented in a general way a parallelism with the Gram stain. The majority of gram positive bacteria are inhibited by gentian violet, while the majority of gram negative bacteria are not. The action of gentian violet can be observed on the divided plates or by staining with gentian violet and determining subsequently whether the microorganisms so treated will grow on culture media. On divided plates, one half of an ordinary petri dish is covered with p...