Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of wounds by the topical administration of arginine or ornithine to wound sites. There is described herein a wound healing enhancing medicinal composition formulated from the amino acid arginine or a by-product thereof. Topical application of the medicinal composition to the wound site enhances wound healing by increasing collagen biosynthesis. A medical composition of the present invention may be administered alone, on dressings, or in combination with common vehicles for topical application including, for example, oil-based emulsions, gels, creams, ointments, and the like.