UREA, A DENATURANT OF PROTEINS,IS USED IN VARIOUS SKIN CREAMS AND OINTMENTS AS DEBRIDING OR KERATOLYTIC AGENT AND TO BRING ABOUT TWO SUPPLEMENTAL CHEMICAL ACTIONS: (1) TO EXPOSE BY SOLVENT ACTION THE ACTIVATORS OF PAPAIN, AND (2) TO DENATURE THE NONVIABLE PROTEIN MATTER IN LESIONS AND THEREBY RENDER IT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ENZYMATIC DIGESTION.