Abstract: A topical ointment is described for use in the treatment of indolent wounds composed of fat-soluble vitamins, namely, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and a subantimicrobial amount of polypeptide antibiotic, which, in turn, acts as a proteinase inhibitor. The active ingredients are combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier of lanolin, white petrolatum, mineral oil, and admixtures thereof. In treating these difficult to heal wounds, the selection of the level of the antibiotic at near trace amounts was surprisingly found to be above the proteinase inhibiting threshold and below the wound irritation level. The formulation hereof produced unexpected healing results not found in vitamin-enriched ointments or in antibiotic ointments.