Silver, a well-known antimicrobial, has a long history of preventing illness. In fact, the saying "born with a silver spoon in one's mouth" is largely based on the fourteenth century practice of placing silver spoons in the mouths of wealthy children to protect them from bacteria. During the 1800s, silver was also placed in the eyes of newborns, a practice that continues today. More recently, the medical community has incorporated silver into treatments for burn patients as well as for use in instruments such as stents and catheters.