[Experimento-clinical basis for using papain in purulent surgery]

Experimental injections of a home-made proteolytic enzyme of vegetative origin--papain--in doses 5 to 36 mg/kg have not provoked any toxic effect upon the body and the serous membranes. The clinical use of 0.2-0.5% papain solution for the local treatment of purulent processes has proved its high proteolytic activity and its ability to shorten the first phase of the wound process. The preparation does not cause any local or general complications and can be successfully used in purulent surgery in hospital and in out-patient practice.