Abstract: A shaped chitin body containing a high content of a physiologically active substance, such as a drug to be used for the cure or prevention of disease, is prepared by incorporating said physiologically active substance into a dope comprising (a) a water-insoluble chitin, (b) lithium chloride, and (c) N-methylpyrrolidone and/or dimethylacetamide, with the amount of said physiologically active substance incorporated being 0.5 wt. % or more with respect to the amount of the chitin contained in said dope, and thereafter coagulating the resulting mixture with a coagulant to obtain a shaped body.The high content of the physiologically active substance thus incorporated in the shaped chitin can be slowly released therefrom over a long period of time. The shaped-chitin of the present invention is characterized by long duration of the physiological activity of the active substance contained therein.

Abstract: A shaped chitin body prepared by treating a shaped body of chitin with an alkali solution, such that within a dilute aqueous solution of acetic acid, the volume of said shaped chitin body will increase by a factor of at least about 10 while substantially retaining its shape. This shaped chitin body has versatile capabilities comparable to those of chitosan. A nonwoven fabric made of a fibrous chitin body is particularly effective as a wound dressing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound dressing comprising a nonwoven fabric composed of(A) a chitin fiber having a thickness of less than one denier and a strength of not less than 2 g/d, and(b) a fibrous binder,which is suitable for dressings of skin defect wounds, which has compatibility to a living body and good fitness property to the surface of wounds and which is insoluble with exudates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous chitin shaped article which has a wet strength of not less than about 1 g/mm.sup.2. The shaped article has preferably a porosity of more than 90%.The present invention also provides a process for preparing the above chitin shaped article, which comprises:dissolving chitin in a solvent to form a dope, dispersing a water-soluble polymer, which is solid at ambient temperature, in said dope to form a coagulated article, andremoving the water-soluble polymer from said coagulated article by treating with aqueous solution.