 Demand for bismuth was small prior to World War II and was pharmaceutical – bismuth compounds were used to treat such conditions as digestive disorders , sexually transmitted diseases and burns . Minor amounts of bismuth metal were consumed in fusible alloys for fire sprinkler systems and fuse wire . During World War II bismuth was considered a strategic material , used for solders , fusible alloys , medications and atomic research . To stabilize the market , the producers set the price at $ 1 @.@ 25 per pound ( 2 @.@ 75 $ / kg ) during the war and at $ 2 @.@ 25 per pound ( 4 @.@ 96 $ / kg ) from 1950 until 1964 . 
