History

Even in ancient times it was known to prevent disease and was commonly thought that disease could not be transferred from one person to another if by drinking from a silver cup. Tableware today is still called “silverware”, even though it is commonly made from stainless steel. Silver coins were dropped into milk to prevent spoilage and silver containers were used to store foods in general. Until almost 1970, it was common for scientists to sterilize petrii dishes by placing a silver coin in them and silver was long used for plates for the surgical repair of bones. The most common usage of silver was by members of royal families, who ate from silver plates, drank from silver cups and used silver utensils almost exclusively. Over a period of time, silver was slightly worn off and mixed into their food and drink. Commoners, who ate from earthen ware jugs and bowls were frequently ill.