A method for providing anesthesia to a subject having a wound, such as a laceration, a surgical incision, an ulcer, an abrasion or a burn, said method comprising the step of applying topically to the wound a composition comprising: at least one local anesthetic agent； a hydrophilic or hydroalcoholic gelling agent； an antiseptic agent； a vasoconstrictor； and a detectable marker such as a food dye, wherein when the composition is topically applied to the wound of the subject the presence of the anesthetic agent on the subject is indicated by the detectable marker. The method has been developed primarily for anaesthetizing open wounds of animals, particularly those caused by husbandry procedures.
