The therapeutic and disinfectant virtues of Silver have been known since ancient times, and it was highly prized in India, ancient Egypt and Babylon. In turn, the famous physician and alchemist Paracelsus used it as a secret ingredient in remedies against infections.

It is well known that in the Middle Ages Europe was devastated by epidemics. These mainly affected people living in rural areas and impoverished townspeople. Nobles and aristocrats remained untouched and it was even believed that the nobility enjoyed special protection. In reality it was Silver that protected them, due to the fact that the aristocrats’ water and wine were kept in silver vessels. They also used silver plates, cutlery and glasses.

Until the last century Silver was successfully used as an antibiotic long before penicillin.

Nowadays, the disinfecting properties of Silver are used in many fields: Silver filters can be found in the water sources of airplanes and spacecraft to guarantee germ-free water. On the Mir space station, Silver is used to sterilise recycled water. Silver is also used to replace chlorine in swimming pools because it has a stronger germicidal action than chlorine and does not have the smell and other unpleasant effects of chlorine (e.g. redness and stinging of the eyes).