I have read that colloidal silver is currently being used and has been used for many years by airlines to purify the drinking water onboard and by hospitals as an antiseptic during and after surgery. Poison control center has no listing of toxicity for c.s. Silver has been used for centuries to preserve food. Silver dollars were placed in milk to prevent spoilage and food was carried in silver dispensers to prohibit mold. Silver plates, goblets, cooking utensils, etc were developed for their antiseptic nature. Colloidal silver is put in newborns eyes to prevent infection (long ago silver dollars were placed on the eyes). I have read in many articles that there are hardly any (if any) known microbes (bacterial, viral, fungi) that are not destroyed within 6 minutes of contact with silver and no resistance is developed. I have used with much success c.s on my cats hind leg where he develops "plaque" a chronic dermatitis which consists of boils and scabs. Our ferret, Henry, developed a nervous condition and some sort of intestinal problem. He was never diagnosed exactly. Ulcer or camph/helicob infection were suspected. He was treated with amoxi, chlora, zantac, etc, etc over a period of 2-3 months to no avail. We of course did barium series radiographs, blood counts, blood chemistries etc etc. He was so anxious he ran and hid, scared for his life day in and day out, perhaps in pain. After only a few force feedings with a therapeutic dosage of CS added to duck soup, his condition improved dramatically and he is perfectly healthy now and a bouncing ferret boy lacking all inhibitions. Granny (11 1/2 yr ferret) is showing good results with cs (a couple drops every day or every other day). NaturalPET, Alternative Lifestyles for all Animals, is an excellent mag discussing C.S. frequently and listing alternative care vets across the country. The Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec issues both have articles on C.S. My opinion is to fight disease however you can: conventional medicine, alternative medicine, spiritual medicine, whatever works. But, I think it is good to be aware of *all* the possibilities. I do highly recommend the above mag. Esp for multi-species homes. Here is subscription info (a few people have inquired): Natural PET, Subscription Services, P.O. Box 351, Trilby, FL 33593-0351. They take VISA/MC or check/MO. $15 for one year for 6 issues. Canada/Mexico $28. Other foreign countries $35. Make checks payable to Pet Publications, US funds only. (I am not affiliated in any way with this mag, I found it at a bookstore some time ago and have been hooked ever since). Charlene [Posted in FML issue 1372]