Metabolic Solutions Report  
Terry Chamberlin, B.Sc., C.N.C., Bioanalyst                Nova Scotia, Canada                  msibio@yahoo.com               902-584-3810  
 
A Brief History of Silver and Silver Colloids in Medicine  
 
      Silver has been used as a medicine and preservative by many cultures throughout history. The Greeks and others used silver 
vessels for water and other liquids to keep them fresh. Pioneers trekking across the wild west generations ago faced many 
hardships. Keeping safe drinking water was one of them. Bacteria, algae, etc. found a fertile breeding ground in the wooden water  
casks that were carried on the wagons. They placed silver and copper coins in the casks to retard the growth of these spoilag e 
organisms. They also put silver dollars in their milk to keep it fresh. Settlers in the Australian outback still suspend silver ware in 
their water tanks to retard spoilage. Silver water purification filters and tablets are manufactured in Switzerland and use d by many 
nations and international airlines. Preventing growth of algae and bacteria in swimming pools is a similar problem that peopl e face 
today. Electrical ionization units that impregnate the water with silver and copper ions are available today that sanitize the pool 
water without the harsh effects of chlorine. In contemporary times, colloidal silver is something of a pariah. It is popular among alternative medicine enthusiasts and i t has 
been officially disapproved of by the FDA. It is poli tically incorrect and has been marketed widely as a "modern wonder cure 
alternative to antibiotics" in health food stores, multi -level marketing and other related outlets. These claims are based on the 
germicidal properties of silver and anecdotal reports of effectiveness. Silver does indeed have germicidal properties. It was 
employed as a germicide and antibiotic before the development of modern antibiotics. After reviewing the literature on the pr ior 
usage of colloidal silver in the pre -antibiotic era, it  becomes evident that the dosages they used were far in excess of the usual 
recommended dosages of current over the counter health food products. Silver was used as a medicine in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Silver, along with other metals wa s discovered to possess 
germicidal properties. Silver alone showed both strong germicidal properties and low or no toxicity to humans. The Colloidal state 
proved to be the most effective form because it lacked the caustic properties of salts (such as silve r nitrate) and demonstrated a 
high level of activity with very low concentrations. Medicinal silver compounds were developed in the late 1800's and there was widespread use of silver compounds and colloids 
prior to 1930. By 1940 there were approxim ately four dozen different silver compounds on the market being used to treat every 
known infectious disease. These were available in oral, injectable, and topical forms. They carried such names as; Albargin, 
Argonin, Argyn, Argyrol, Largin, Lunosol, Novar gan, Proganol, Electrargol and Silvol, etc. These different silver preparations were drastically different from each other. Some were true colloids of silver, others wer e 
colloids of silver salts or other compounds of silver, many were silver prote inates, and some couldn't legitimately be called 
colloids. The actual silver content also varied widely, with some products containing 30% silver by weight. The effectiveness of the silver sol or suspension, as antibacterials, depended on the comp osition of the product, the initial 
quality of the product and the time elapsed since manufacture. Consequently, there was a wide variation in their effectivenes s and 
safety. With some products, skin staining could occur from topical use and, becaus e of the relatively high silver content of some 
compounds, there was a greater risk of silver toxicity and argyria. None of these products were as effective against bacteria  as 
silver nitrate. However silver nitrate has potential serious, if not fatal, sid e effects due to its toxicity. With the discovery of antibiotics, interest in Silver as an anti -microbial medicine declined. There were at that time no antibiotic 
resistant strains of disease organisms and there was a lot of excitement over the new  wonder drugs. There were also problems with 
silver based pharmaceuticals. The overuse of certain types of protein bound silver compounds caused a discoloration of the s kin 
called argyria and the therapeutic results were variable depending on the age and quality of the preparation. In Ayurvedic medicine silver is used in small amounts as a tonic or elixir or rejuvenative agent for patients debilitated by age 
or disease. A correlation (not an explanation) of some of the diverse reported effe cts and discrepancies in reported effects of colloidal 
silver can be found by regarding colloidal silver as a Homeopathic substance rather than an antibiotic. In Homeopathy, a subs tance 
is "proven" by administering large doses to a group of healthy individ uals and observing the symptoms that develop. Then when a 
patient has the same or similar group of symptoms a highly diluted preparation of the same substance is given to correct the 
condition. Simila similibus curenteur is the Homeopathic motto. Illnesses  are treated by the “rule of similars.”  
 
      It so happens that the 1, 5, and 10 PPM. colloidal silver products being sold in health food stores have concentrations of si lver 
in the same range as Homeopathic preparations. I suspect that the most common complaints treated with colloidal silver a re the 
common cold and flu. It so happens that the Homeopathic symptom profile for silver corresponds to many of the common 
symptoms of colds and flu. Homeopathy was developed over 200 years ago in Europe by physicians who did not have access to mo dern scientific tools. They believed in a concept that today would be called "energy medicine". Most allopathic medical doctors and scientists do no t 
consider Homeopathy to be valid, yet its empirical track record is impressive. In addition, more recent re search into the scientific 
principles relevant to homeopathy are giving credibility to this school of medicine while provoking hostility in the debunker s. 
 
      The critics of colloidal silver focus on two things: (1) Unsubstantiated claims by promoters a nd (2) The toxic characteristics of 
silver. In some cases the language used by critics can be as biased and critical as the promoters. There are also many sincer e 
individuals who hold diverse and opposing viewpoints. Their concern over hype and m ismarketing has some justification. There are some who promote consumption with little regard 
to the accuracy or truthfulness of their statements, or for the appropriate use of colloidal silver or for the quality of the ir product. It 
appears that most of t hem have copied the pitch of their predecessors without checking the accuracy or truthfulness of the 
statements. This isn't true of all colloidal silver promoters but it only takes a few bold and reckless ones to give them all  a bad rap 
and their critics a n excuse to quash them all. The toxic effects of silver is another matter. Silver is toxic when used in excess but appears to be harmless if used in smal l 
amounts. Critics of colloidal silver sometimes state that it has been known to cause organ da mage, kidney damage, pulmonary 
edema, atherosclerosis and death. Many of these claims appear to be based on a research study on dogs in which the dogs were 
deliberately killed by extremely large lethal doses of silver in order to enable the investigators t o study silver toxicity. At the doses 
given any heavy metal and probably many essential minerals like zinc, iron, copper, etc. would have produced death in a simil ar 
fashion. Out of context references like this do nothing to bring light to the subject. Thi s study is reviewed in a more meaningful 
context in this document. Critics also say that there is risk of developing a condition called argyria in which excess silver is deposited in the skin and 
tissues causing discoloration and possibly other har m. This is possible and those who use colloidal silver need to be aware of it. The issue of toxicity is of major importance and it needs to be understood by everyone using colloidal silver. Since colloida l silver 
has become popular, numerous (probably tens  of thousands to hundreds of thousands) of individuals have consumed colloidal 
silver, some of them in substantial quantities. It appears that the modern low concentration versions of colloidal silver ar e better 
tolerated and eliminated from the body than  those preparations from the early 1900's. Still there is a lot that needs to be better 
understood about silver toxicity. With regard to the political correctness, or incorrectness, of colloidal silver, it is necessary to maintain a balanced per spective. If you think "approved" medicines are safe, go to the library and look them up in the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference). If you  like 
to read scary stuff, this is a good hobby. On the other hand, some folks who are dedicated to "natural alternatives " often consider 
anything from a pharmaceutical company to be "bad". They need to remember that most antibiotics were derived from natural 
substances (like penicillin from molds) at one time. Common sense and an ethic of "do no harm" to yourself or others must prevail. There is a lot of concern today about the threat of new antibiotic resistant diseases and the potential for devastating plagu es. There is historical and informal evidence that silver will work as an antibiotic. Given a specific infect ious disease, proper diagnosis 
and the informed consideration of all alternatives is essential. The use of silver in the treatment of infectious diseases ma y be 
appropriate in situations where the infection is truly dangerous and safer alternatives are not  available or have failed to prove 
effective. Anyone using silver in these situations must engage a physician as an ally. There is a great need for credible research to be performed by independent institutions regarding the toxicity, toxic 
mechanis ms, potential clinical uses, and usage protocols for colloidal silver. Pharmaceutical companies won't spend money doing 
that because they can't patent it and make money on it and published proof of effectiveness could result in an inexpensive co lloidal 
silver competing with their products. Recently, with the development of antibiotic resistance in many diseases and the increase in the new strains of bacteria and 
viruses world -wide, there is renewed interest in silver. Large companies are developing a nd introducing new silver compounds for 
a variety of anti -microbial applications, including protection against the spread of the AIDS virus. (2)  
 
      Today, colloidal silver is sold as a trace mineral supplement without medical claims or claims of speci fic benefits. Its need, or 
lack of need, in human nutrition is not scientifically established. It remains popular as an "alternative" health care modali ty 
because of the large number of anecdotal reports of positive benefits. Another application for  silver in medicine has been approved by the FDA. A.B. Flick, M.D., founder of Argentum Research 
has developed a line of silver coated bandages that are used for wound and burn dressings. http://www.clspress.com/history.html
A_Brief_History_of_Silver_Colloids.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Metabolic Solutions Report  
Terry Chamberlin, B. Sc. , C. N. C. , Bioanalyst                Nova Scotia, Canada                  msibio@yahoo. com               902-584-3810  
 
A Brief History of Silver and Silver Colloids in Medicine  
 
      Silver has been used as a medicine and preservative by many cultures throughout history. The Greeks and others used silver 
vessels for water and other liquids to keep them fresh. Pioneers trekking across the wild west generations ago faced many 
hardships. Keeping safe drinking water was one of them. Bacteria, algae, etc. found a fertile breeding ground in the wooden water  
casks that were carried on the wagons. They placed silver and copper coins in the casks to retard the growth of these spoilag e 
organisms. They also put silver dollars in their milk to keep it fresh. Settlers in the Australian outback still suspend silver ware in 
their water tanks to retard spoilage. Silver water purification filters and tablets are manufactured in Switzerland and use d by many 
nations and international airlines. Preventing growth of algae and bacteria in swimming pools is a similar problem that peopl e face 
today. Electrical ionization units that impregnate the water with silver and copper ions are available today that sanitize the pool 
water without the harsh effects of chlorine. In contemporary times, colloidal silver is something of a pariah. It is popular among alternative medicine enthusiasts and i t has 
been officially disapproved of by the FDA. It is poli tically incorrect and has been marketed widely as a "modern wonder cure 
alternative to antibiotics" in health food stores, multi -level marketing and other related outlets. These claims are based on the 
germicidal properties of silver and anecdotal reports of effectiveness. Silver does indeed have germicidal properties. It was 
employed as a germicide and antibiotic before the development of modern antibiotics. After reviewing the literature on the pr ior 
usage of colloidal silver in the pre -antibiotic era, it  becomes evident that the dosages they used were far in excess of the usual 
recommended dosages of current over the counter health food products. Silver was used as a medicine in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Silver, along with other metals wa s discovered to possess 
germicidal properties. Silver alone showed both strong germicidal properties and low or no toxicity to humans. The Colloidal state 
proved to be the most effective form because it lacked the caustic properties of salts (such as silve r nitrate) and demonstrated a 
high level of activity with very low concentrations. Medicinal silver compounds were developed in the late 1800's and there was widespread use of silver compounds and colloids 
prior to 1930. By 1940 there were approxim ately four dozen different silver compounds on the market being used to treat every 
known infectious disease. These were available in oral, injectable, and topical forms. They carried such names as; Albargin, 
Argonin, Argyn, Argyrol, Largin, Lunosol, Novar gan, Proganol, Electrargol and Silvol, etc. These different silver preparations were drastically different from each other. Some were true colloids of silver, others wer e 
colloids of silver salts or other compounds of silver, many were silver prote inates, and some couldn't legitimately be called 
colloids. The actual silver content also varied widely, with some products containing 30% silver by weight. The effectiveness of the silver sol or suspension, as antibacterials, depended on the comp osition of the product, the initial 
quality of the product and the time elapsed since manufacture. Consequently, there was a wide variation in their effectivenes s and 
safety. With some products, skin staining could occur from topical use and, becaus e of the relatively high silver content of some 
compounds, there was a greater risk of silver toxicity and argyria. None of these products were as effective against bacteria  as 
silver nitrate. However silver nitrate has potential serious, if not fatal, sid e effects due to its toxicity. With the discovery of antibiotics, interest in Silver as an anti -microbial medicine declined. There were at that time no antibiotic 
resistant strains of disease organisms and there was a lot of excitement over the new  wonder drugs. There were also problems with 
silver based pharmaceuticals. The overuse of certain types of protein bound silver compounds caused a discoloration of the s kin 
called argyria and the therapeutic results were variable depending on the age and quality of the preparation. In Ayurvedic medicine silver is used in small amounts as a tonic or elixir or rejuvenative agent for patients debilitated by age 
or disease. A correlation (not an explanation) of some of the diverse reported effe cts and discrepancies in reported effects of colloidal 
silver can be found by regarding colloidal silver as a Homeopathic substance rather than an antibiotic. In Homeopathy, a subs tance 
is "proven" by administering large doses to a group of healthy individ uals and observing the symptoms that develop. Then when a 
patient has the same or similar group of symptoms a highly diluted preparation of the same substance is given to correct the 
condition. Simila similibus curenteur is the Homeopathic motto. Illnesses  are treated by the “rule of similars. ”  
 
      It so happens that the 1, 5, and 10 PPM. colloidal silver products being sold in health food stores have concentrations of si lver 
in the same range as Homeopathic preparations. I suspect that the most common complaints treated with colloidal silver a re the 
common cold and flu. It so happens that the Homeopathic symptom profile for silver corresponds to many of the common 
symptoms of colds and flu. Homeopathy was developed over 200 years ago in Europe by physicians who did not have access to mo dern scientific tools. They believed in a concept that today would be called "energy medicine". Most allopathic medical doctors and scientists do no t 
consider Homeopathy to be valid, yet its empirical track record is impressive. In addition, more recent re search into the scientific 
principles relevant to homeopathy are giving credibility to this school of medicine while provoking hostility in the debunker s. The critics of colloidal silver focus on two things: (1) Unsubstantiated claims by promoters a nd (2) The toxic characteristics of 
silver. In some cases the language used by critics can be as biased and critical as the promoters. There are also many sincer e 
individuals who hold diverse and opposing viewpoints. Their concern over hype and m ismarketing has some justification. There are some who promote consumption with little regard 
to the accuracy or truthfulness of their statements, or for the appropriate use of colloidal silver or for the quality of the ir product. It 
appears that most of t hem have copied the pitch of their predecessors without checking the accuracy or truthfulness of the 
statements. This isn't true of all colloidal silver promoters but it only takes a few bold and reckless ones to give them all  a bad rap 
and their critics a n excuse to quash them all. The toxic effects of silver is another matter. Silver is toxic when used in excess but appears to be harmless if used in smal l 
amounts. Critics of colloidal silver sometimes state that it has been known to cause organ da mage, kidney damage, pulmonary 
edema, atherosclerosis and death. Many of these claims appear to be based on a research study on dogs in which the dogs were 
deliberately killed by extremely large lethal doses of silver in order to enable the investigators t o study silver toxicity. At the doses 
given any heavy metal and probably many essential minerals like zinc, iron, copper, etc. would have produced death in a simil ar 
fashion. Out of context references like this do nothing to bring light to the subject. Thi s study is reviewed in a more meaningful 
context in this document. Critics also say that there is risk of developing a condition called argyria in which excess silver is deposited in the skin and 
tissues causing discoloration and possibly other har m. This is possible and those who use colloidal silver need to be aware of it. The issue of toxicity is of major importance and it needs to be understood by everyone using colloidal silver. Since colloida l silver 
has become popular, numerous (probably tens  of thousands to hundreds of thousands) of individuals have consumed colloidal 
silver, some of them in substantial quantities. It appears that the modern low concentration versions of colloidal silver ar e better 
tolerated and eliminated from the body than  those preparations from the early 1900's. Still there is a lot that needs to be better 
understood about silver toxicity. With regard to the political correctness, or incorrectness, of colloidal silver, it is necessary to maintain a balanced per spective. If you think "approved" medicines are safe, go to the library and look them up in the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference). If you  like 
to read scary stuff, this is a good hobby. On the other hand, some folks who are dedicated to "natural alternatives " often consider 
anything from a pharmaceutical company to be "bad". They need to remember that most antibiotics were derived from natural 
substances (like penicillin from molds) at one time. Common sense and an ethic of "do no harm" to yourself or others must prevail. There is a lot of concern today about the threat of new antibiotic resistant diseases and the potential for devastating plagu es. There is historical and informal evidence that silver will work as an antibiotic. Given a specific infect ious disease, proper diagnosis 
and the informed consideration of all alternatives is essential. The use of silver in the treatment of infectious diseases ma y be 
appropriate in situations where the infection is truly dangerous and safer alternatives are not  available or have failed to prove 
effective. Anyone using silver in these situations must engage a physician as an ally. There is a great need for credible research to be performed by independent institutions regarding the toxicity, toxic 
mechanis ms, potential clinical uses, and usage protocols for colloidal silver. Pharmaceutical companies won't spend money doing 
that because they can't patent it and make money on it and published proof of effectiveness could result in an inexpensive co lloidal 
silver competing with their products. Recently, with the development of antibiotic resistance in many diseases and the increase in the new strains of bacteria and 
viruses world -wide, there is renewed interest in silver. Large companies are developing a nd introducing new silver compounds for 
a variety of anti -microbial applications, including protection against the spread of the AIDS virus. (2)  
 
      Today, colloidal silver is sold as a trace mineral supplement without medical claims or claims of speci fic benefits. Its need, or 
lack of need, in human nutrition is not scientifically established. It remains popular as an "alternative" health care modali ty 
because of the large number of anecdotal reports of positive benefits. Another application for  silver in medicine has been approved by the FDA. A. B. Flick, M. D. , founder of Argentum Research 
has developed a line of silver coated bandages that are used for wound and burn dressings. http://www. clspress. com/history. html

        Section summary: 

The article discusses various aspects associated w ith metallic substances' antimicrobial actions. *   Historical background:
         •
            Discuss how ancient civilizations employed silver vessels & utensils fo llowing ingestion. Describe instances wh ere pioneers suspended coin-like objects made offo f gold, copper,
             Other materials within containers filled wit h liquid resources. People even added dollar bills during storage period. •   
       Mention previous studies demonstrating significant antiviral/bacterial action


     Background Information About Health Food Stores Product  

* Provides detailed info abou t dosage levels compared between eras past vs present. Current practices emphasize lower p rescription strengths,

          **Note:** Do NOT summarize too much detail here. Summary should provide concise insights. Keep your writing style straightforward. In response to my request please find below summarized points:


Historical overview highlights silver’s long-standing role in preserving drinks/water through vessel/utensil design choices. Furthermore, settlers had implemented measures preventing bacterial/algal contamination via incorporating solid items composed of precious/silver-coined currencies. Australia settler practice demonstrates utilization methods. Please ensure clarity in summarizing data correctly avoiding repetition. Let me know what further assistance might aid clarification.
Terry Chamberlin, B.Sc., C.N.C., Bioanalyst
Who is the author of the report "Metabolic Solutions"?
Toxicity, specifically the risk of argyria, a condition where excess silver is deposited in the skin and tissues, and the potential for organ damage, kidney damage, pulmonary edema, atherosclerosis, and death.
What is the main concern about colloidal silver, as stated in the passage?
Colloidal silver is sold as a trace mineral supplement without medical claims or claims of specific benefits, and its need or lack of need in human nutrition is not scientifically established.
What is the current status of colloidal silver in the medical field, as mentioned in the passage?
Silver-coated bandages for wound and burn dressings, developed by A.B. Flick, M.D.
What is a potential application of silver in medicine that has been approved by the FDA?
Because they cannot patent it and would not be able to profit from it, and the publication of its effectiveness could lead to an inexpensive alternative competing with their products.
Why are pharmaceutical companies unlikely to conduct research on colloidal silver, according to the passage?