[Effect of topical drug vehicles on wound contraction]

The effect of vehicles of medical preparations upon wound contraction was tested in animals. The detraction of experimental skin defects on the back of guinea pigs was used which is caused first of all by wound contraction. Wound contraction is more favourably influenced by vaselinum flavum than by pasta zinci mollis and amylum maydis. The influence of pasta zinci mollis was more favourable than the influence of amylum maydis. The comparison of the three unspecific powder constituents lactose, amylum maydis and talcum revealed differences. These investigations do not allow the general recommendation of the use of fatty vehicles in the treatment of ulcers but they do show that such a recommendation can be made when the ulcer is in a region where wound contraction plays an important part in wound healing and when there is no super infection of the ulcer.