History of the medical use of silver.

BACKGROUND

Silver has been used extensively throughout recorded history for a variety of medical purposes.

METHODS

A review of the literature in English was undertaken, primarily using PUBMED, to identify the medical uses of silver before the clinical introduction of antibiotics in the 1940s.

RESULTS

Silver has been used for at least six millennia to prevent microbial infections. It has been effective against almost all organisms tested and has been used to treat numerous infections and noninfectious conditions, sometimes with striking success. Silver also has played an important role in the development of radiology and in improving wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Silver was the most important antimicrobial agent available before the introduction of antibiotics.