Silver chemically affects the cell membranes of bacteria, causing them to break down. Bacteria do not develop resistance to silver, as they do to many antibiotics. Silver solutions are used in burn treatments. Silver gauze packs the wounds of patients during transport to medical facilities. Silver nitrate drops are used to clean the eyes of newborns.
Hikers use portable silver-based water purification systems for drinking water.
Silver has a pure acoustic resonance and is preferred by musicians for making high quality silver bells and musical instruments. Silver salts are the basic image capture and forming materials in photography. Don't forget the silver in your jewelry or traditional tableware. It's a favorite medium because it is soft and malleable, and can be shaped into any form. Silver has been used in cherished heirlooms and gifts for centuries.