The introduction of antisepsis and asepsis brought about decisive changes in the dressing of wounds. For thousands of years, dressing material had been regarded as protection for wounds, absorbent material, or a base for healing substances, while healing per secundam intentionem by the production of "pus laudabile" was the general rule. With the advent of antisepsis, dressings became a type of medication, healing the wounds per primam intentionem. Different materials have been used over the years, but the most important steps in the development of new dressings were made in the nineteenth century, with the introduction of a degreased cotton and of medicated plasters.
Anti-Infective Agents, Local Antisepsis