History of Silver as an Anti-Microbial

2000 BC		Silver mentioned in Egyptian writing
500 BC		Greeks, Romans use silver vessels for water purification.
500		Silverware protects the wealthy from the full brunt of the plague
1800		Doctors used silver sutures in surgical wounds. Pioneers and frontier settlers use silver coins in their drinking water and milk to prevent spoilage.
1900		Silver products are being developed and marketed commercially Silver is used to combat wound infections during WW1. Silver is widely used in hospitals. Several commercial airlines use silver water filters NASA selected silver-based system for space shuttle
2000		New, superior silver sol technology developed and patented.

 

Silver’s History

 

Thousands of years, before scientists and doctors understood what microbes were and how they cause illness, the health benefits of colloidal metals, particularly silver were suspected.

The famous Greek physician, Hippocrates (who is considered by many as the father of modern medicine), wrote that silver could prevent disease and had the special healing properties. Consequently, the Ancient Greeks and Romans used silver utensils as well as silver urns to keep water and other liquids fresh.

Ancient Egyptian writings indicate that they used silver too; as did the ancient Chinese who’s emperors ate with silver chopsticks.

During the Middle Ages wealthy families gave their children silver spoons to suck on as protection from the horrific plagues that ravished Europe; hence the expression, "born with a silver spoon in his mouth". To this day, people still refer to, "getting their best silverware out", for special occasions Early American pioneers dropped silver coins into their wells and water barrels to keep the water safe. Likewise, settlers in the Australian outback suspended silverware in their water tanks. Dairy farmers often used silver milk pails to keep the milk from spoiling.

By the early 1900’s, the use of silver in Western medicine had become widespread. Surgeons used silver sutures to close surgical wounds; in order to prevent infection and to accelerate the healing process. There were however a few controversies at this time. This was due to the overuse of certain protein-bound colloidal silver solutions leading to a skin discolouring condition know as argyria, as well as improperly prepared and unstable colloidal silver. However, reputable medical journals reported that properly prepared colloidal silver solutions were safe with no adverse side effects. It was reported in February 16th, 1918, by T.H. Anderson Wells in the Lancet, that colloidal silver solution was "used intravenously . . . without any irritation of the kidneys and with no pigmentation of the skin". Colloidal silver was patented in 1924.

Silver leaf was even used in soldier's wounds during World War I. However, silver lost favor in the 1930’s due to the emergence of new synthetically manufactured antibiotic drugs, hailed at the time as "wonder drugs". It was not until some time later that antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria emerged leading to an ongoing cat and mouse game between super resistant bacteria and the pharmaceutical companies.

Nevertheless, during World War II (1939 to 1945), colloidal silver solutions were often used as a topical antiseptic and either taken orally or even injected.

In the 1970’s, silver made a comeback into mainstream medicine when the late Dr. Carl Moyer, chairman of Washington University’s Department of Surgery was given a grant to research better treatment for burn victims.

A silver compound was found more effective than 22 other antiseptics at killing invasive burn bacteria and allowing the burn wound to heal. Today Silver Sulphadiazine (Silvadene) is used in 70% of American burn centers.

Some 275,000 kg (605,000 lbs) of edible metallic silver foil are eaten ever year in India. This may be due in part to its use in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine as a tonic, elixir or rejuvenate agent for age or debilitating diseases.