The prophylactic effects of silver and copper have been known for thousands of years and historians and archaeologists continue to uncover fresh examples from the ancient civilisations. Today, oligodynamics is more topical than ever, with silver-and copper-containing materials now widely used in hospitals, food preparation facilities, water treatment plants and in dozens of other types of location where bacterial contamination poses a threat.This book surveys the historical, scientific and practical aspects of the subject, bringing together German studies little-known outside that country, and work from the English-speaking communities. Viricidal and fungicidal aspects are also discussed, and the CD-ROM database includes some 600 abstracts, many of these relating to Patents based on application of the principle.