"I just called up my favorite dermatologist (my Dad) to
inquire about this and he says that silver nitrate is indeed
still used as a cauterizing agent in the treatment of sores
or raw spots. It cauterizes proteins in skin and mucus membranes
to hasten the healing process. It is used either as a very
strong solution (80%) or in the solid form. It was once used
to prevent infection from gonorea in the eyes of newborns. This
practice went the way of the Edsel about 50 years ago. He knows
of no other medical uses for it and says it is extremely unlikely
that the poor guy who died after getting some in a cut was done
in by that contact. It would oly cauterize the cut, not cause
his demise. Mearly a coincidence."
Now since I am older than 50 years, this explains why I have been interested
in photography all my life. Someone dumped silver in my eyes a long time
ago and I have been looking at it ever since. It does not, however, explain
the fascination with non-silver processes.
Bob S.