This book is the fruit of lectures given during the symposium "Proteolytic Enzymes and Wound Healing" at the Joint Meet ing of the Wound Healing Society and the European Tissue Repair Society held in Amsterdam, August 22-25, 1993. Look ing back, we can conclude with satisfaction that the meeting was a great success, with regard to both the number of partici pants and the scientific level. Enormous progress is being made in the field of wound heal ing and tissue repair. It was therefore of prime importance that one fundamental aspect in the healing of chronic wound- the proteolytic debridement of tissue necrosis - be given thorough attention during the above-mentioned symposium. Renowned authors dealt with the various aspects of proteoly tic enzymes and wound healing, so that a unique overview was given. The lectures were written up and arranged into the various chapters of this book, which should provide the reader with a practical guide in understanding and treating necrotic wounds. Wiete Westerhof, M. D., Ph. D. President of the Organizing Committee of the Joint Meeting of the Wound Healing Society and the European Tissue Repair Society Contents Pathobiology of Necrosis P. K. Das and W. Westerhof.. ................................... .