This is why many people still eat with silver objects to this day.
Since ancient times, silver has been used to restrict the spread of disease by utilising silver objects in everyday life. The earliest was during the Han Dynasty (circa 1500 B.C.).
It was thought that silver chopsticks would turn black if they came into contact with poisonous food. In fact, silver has no reaction to arsenic or cyanide, but to garlic, onions or rotten eggs. Also, the Roman, Phoenician, Macedonian and Persian empires used silver vessels and plates.
Silver chopsticks from Tang Dynasty or later.
Owing to its scarcity, during the Middle Ages, families of higher social-economic class used silver for decorative purposes to showcase their wealth as well as recognising its versatility and effectiveness as a natural antibacterial mineral. Babies, for example, in the 18th century were fed with silver spoons since it was believed to be healthier than those fed with utensils made from other materials. This was also why royalty and the aristocracy only ate from silver utensils and cups since it was thought to be more hygienic.
Henry VIII apostle spoon with a gilt St. Matthias figure and Tudor rose hale by specialist maker William Simpson, London 1515. Part of the Quernmore collection of spoons, sold at Bonhams in July 2008 for £28,000.
Silver ions perform their deadly work by punching holes in bacterial membranes and wreaking havoc once inside. They bind to essential cell components like DNA, preventing the bacteria from performing even their most basic functions.
Silver ions perform their deadly work by punching holes in bacterial membranes and wreaking havoc once inside.
Today, silver is being used as a therapeutic option due to its bacterial resistance to antimicrobials. Researchers are now looking into how to enhance this with products containing silver nanoparticles, as well as modern medicine that uses medical grade silver such as silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine and colloidal silver.
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