EPITHELIZATION OF EXPERIMENTAL WOUNDS

Abstract

The healing of wounds is a complex phenomenon, involving such apparently diverse processes as proliferation of new capillaries, fibroblasts and epithelial cells. In addition, production of antibodies and phagocytosis may be involved. Much experimental work has been done to elucidate the conditions governing these processes. We are here concerned only with certain aspects of epithelization. In an attempt to obtain a clue which might lead us to the discovery of those factors which promote the healing process, we considered the various processes and therapeutic procedures which by long experience are known to be most effective in the treatment of infections and wounds, with the object of discovering some factor or factors common to all. On the whole it seemed to us that these processes had in common the effect of rendering or tending to render the blood and tissues of the patient more alkaline. Conversely, those conditions which appeared to