THE DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONS OF SILVER IN WATER-PURIFICATION AND DISEASE-CONTROL

The use of silver to control putrefaction of liquids and as a mitigate to the incursion and spread of disease can be traced to ancient times . In recent decades, studies have revealed the biochemical reactions o f ionic silver that result in the inactivation of bacteria, fungi, pro tozoa, spirochetes, viruses, etc. not protected by proteinaceous membr anes. The unique chemisorption of atomic oxygen on the surface of silv er in both gaseous and aqueous media combined with freedom of movement of oxygen throughout the crystal lattice of the silver provides a res ervoir of oxygen and thus sets silver apart in its catalytic activity. Studies have revealed that bulk silver in an oxygen-charged aqueous m edia will catalyze the complete destructive oxidation of microorganism s. However, the broad use of silver as a powerful clinical tool is sti ll in the future because its full range of activity remains to be eluc idated.