GRGR(17) potassium permanganate

[Paul Mackin]

On Sun, 9 Jan 2000, Mark Wright AIA wrote:

> Howdy
> 
> Wasn't that "Purple Gentian?"  I seem to remember this from, perhaps,
> "Catch 22?"  Gentian root (roots again!) had anti-bacterial properties,
> and was used as a flavoring ingredient in (wait for it...) Moxie!

Could be. Is purple gentian the same as gentian violet, which is used
among other things as a disinfectant? It's organic as compared to KMnO4
and used as as a bacterial stain, dye, bactericide, fungicide, and
anthelmintic, according to Webster.

> 
> By the way, I *love* Moxie and can't find it in the New York area. 
> Anyone know where it might be available?

Wasn't it mostly a New England thing. Didn't exist on the West Coast, for
example, as far as I know. The expression "to have moxie" was of course
universally known (cultural imperialism) through the movies.

			P.