The antibacterial activity of gentian violet (GV) impregnated silastic discs was studied by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI), (in mm) produced by the discs planted on Staphylococcus epidermidis seeded agar plates. The effect of varying concentration of GV, the duration of antibacterial activity and effect of autoclaving were studied. The mean ZOI for 1 per cent GV was 19.28 +/- 0.89 mm and for 2 per cent GV it was 22.55 +/- 0.71 mm (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between GV concentrations of 2-5 per cent. Over a period of 1-5 wk, no significant difference was found in the antibacterial activity of GV for any of the concentrations. In each of the concentrations there was a significant reduction in the ZOI after multiple autoclavings. The study thus indicates that it is possible to impart antibacterial properties to silastic implants so that their colonization with Staph. epidermidis can be prevented and this finding has obvious clinical implications.