A HEMOSTATIC POWDER COMPRISES A CHITOSAN SALT TOGETHER WITH AT LEAST ONE INERT MATERIAL. THE DISCLOSURE ALSO RELATES TO HEMOSTATIC POWDERS INTO WHICH FLUID PENETRABILITY IS 0.5 CM OR MORE WITHIN 1 MINUTE. AT LEAST ONE MEDICAL SURFACTANT MAY OPTIONALLY BE INCLUDED. THE HEMOSTATIC POWDERS MAY BE INCORPORATED INTO WOUND DRESSINGS.