In one aspect, the present invention includes a haemostat composition that includes a chitosan, chitosan salt or chitosan derivative, and a physiologically acceptable acid selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, halogen acetic acids, propanoic acid, propenoic acid, acrylic acid, glyoxylic acid, pyruvic acid or a hydroxy propionic/butanoic acid, and combinations of any two or more thereof； or one or more acids selected from hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid. The haemostat composition is able to safely gradually and fully degrade in a human or animal body within about 30 days and so can be utilised by physicians to stem a flow of blood and promote healing both after as well as during surgical procedures.
