hippocrates in his writings discussed the use of silver in wound care. at the beginning of the twentieth century surgeons routinely used silver sutures to reduce the risk of infection. in the early 20th century, physicians used silver-containing eyedrops to treat ophthalmic problems, for various infections, and sometimes internally for diseases such as tropical sprue, epilepsy, gonorrhea, and the common cold. during world war i, soldiers used silver leaf to treat infected wounds.