Colloidal silver preparations, in which the silver does not exist to any large extent as free ions, act by the milder and sustained antiseptic effect brought about by the formation of a protein silver compound which slowly liberates small amounts of ionic silver. It is toxic to bacteria by precipitating the protein in the bacteria protoplasm.
Their activity resides in the silver ion, which is a protein precipitant. "The HANDBOOK of the HOSPITAL CORPS of the UNITED STATES NAVY 1953 published by THE BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY under the authority of THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY NavMed P-5004 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE page 417 stated QUOTE:" Silver compounds have a wide variety of uses as caustics, astringents, antiseptics, and germicides. Between suspensions and solutions lies the COLLOIDAL STATE no clear distinction can be made between fine suspensions and systems of colloid particles that are close to the upper limit of the colloid range". Because of their size, colloid particles diffuse slowly. They differ from solutions (in which the particles are of molecular size) as well, in that the dispersed particles of colloids cannot pass through the fine pores of membranes, and cannot therefore be separated out by the technique known as DIALYSIS. Colloids are distinguished from suspensions essentially by the size of the dispersed particles: colloidal particulate size is approximately 1 to 500 X (10 to the power of -7) cm.Ĭolloidal particles do not settle and cannot be filtered by ordinary techniques (as is the case with suspensions). colloidal state is a condition in which one substance is dispersed in another. If the dispersing medium is water, it may be called a hydrosol. Externally, they are used for conditions such as cold sores, poison ivy, or hemorrhoids and as antiseptic deodorizers eliminating odor-causing microorganisms."sol is a colloidal system consisting of a solid dispersed in a liquid. Astringents act by shrinking tissues and reducing the permeability (passage of gas or iquid)of membranes.They may be used internally to diminish mucous secretion in a sore throat, check diarrhea, or reduce stomach acid secretion. COLLOIDAL SILVER is used as an antiseptic,germicide,astringent, caustic and for water sterilization and to arrest hemorrhaging by coagulating the blood. Silverware became prized for the preparation, serving and storage of foods because it was recognized that food processed in silver vessals stored longer and was less likley to cause illness.Īccording to the 1991 GROLIER encyclopedia " The element silver exhibits bactericidal properties not fully understood, although these are thought to be a result of its ability to absorb oxygen.
Before the days of refrigeration, silverware or a silver coin was kept in the drinking water and the milk to retard spoilage. The Romans reported the use of silver compounds for medical treatment. It continued to be used in the Middle Ages to treat wounds. The ancient Babylonian and Greek civilizations were aware of silver's ability to disinfect.ĬOLLOIDAL SILVER was used as a remedy as far back as ancient Egypt. Persian records mention the practice of keeping water in silver vessels. Silver has been used in healing as far back in recorded time as 4000 BC.