History of Silver

Throughout history, people have exploited the germicidal properties of Silver.

The Greeks and Romans stored water and other drinks in Silver vessels that were believed to keep the liquids fresh.

During the plagues in Europe, wealthy families ate from Silver plates and used Silver utensils, in the hope that Silver might protect them from the disease that was claiming their neighbors' lives.

Pioneers travelling across the US placed Silver and copper coins in their wooden water casks and milk jugs to retard the growth of bacteria and algae.

Settlers in the Australian outback would place a Silver spoon or fork in their water tank in the belief that it would sanitize the water.

World War 1 troops used silver leaf on their wounds to combat infections.

From the late 1800's through the early 1900's, the medical industry made use of Silver germicidal properties. For half a century, Silver appeared in hundreds of medical products.

Silver eye drops were routinely placed in newborn babies’ eyes to prevent blindness when the mother had gonorrhea.

Silver salts were commonly used in nose drops and wound dressings.

Silver was an ingredient in popular "health tonics" and in oral smoking remedies.

With the discovery of antibiotics (sulfa drugs and then Penicillin) in the early to mid-1900's, interest in Silver as an anti-microbial medicine declined, since patents could not be taken out on Silver. Pharmaceutical companies could make more money from developing and patenting antibiotic drugs. But Silver is staging a modest comeback as a germ fighter and a nemesis of smelly feet.

Silver water purification filters and tablets are available for use in homes, businesses, and on airlines.

Electrical ionizer units that use Silver and copper ions to sanitize swimming pool water have been developed.

70% of burn centres in America use Silver Sulphadiazine as treatment against burns and bacteria.

Silver sulphadiazine has also been reported to be successful in treating cholera, malaria, syphilis and the herpes virus (cold sores, shingles etc.)

Silver is even used by the US National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), and the Russians, to purify water in both countries’ space shuttles

In the half-century since Penicillin, we have seen the development of new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and rising concerns about the overuse of antibiotic “wonder drugs”. Some groups advocate return to using Silver for disinfecting swimming pool water, for example, and for medical antibiotic purposes.

Bacteria and viruses, interestingly, have not been shown to develop resistance to the antibiotic effects of Silver as they do antibiotics, because the silver attacks their food source, rather than the bacteria directly.

Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) are two of the most common disease causing organisms.

It has been reported that 5 - 8% of United States hospital patients acquire bacterial infections, this equates to about 2,000,000 people each year. (National Institute for AID).

Statistics from New York City hospitals in 1995 indicate 13,550 patients contracted Staph infections with the cost of treatment being $435 million - this is a cost of $32,103 per person. Plus the death of 1,400 patients.

The latest figures for treatment of MRSA are quoting a cost of $47,000 per person.

The possibility that Staphylococcus aureus infection may become non-treatable with antibiotics is a major concern. This bacteria can cause infections in blood, bone, skin as well as heart valves which can lead to septic shock and death. Staph now shows a 90% resistance to penicillin.

The current antibiotic, vancomycin, is showing signs of becoming resistant.

Besides Staphylococcus aureus there are more than a dozen other bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics.

Under the right conditions microbes can double in number every 20 minutes.

Modern technology is creating a resurgence with a natural element from the past.