Abstract: A method of manufacturing hydrogel dressings from synthetic and natural polymers by polymerization and cross-linking involves pouring aqueous solutions of synthetic polymers, such as polyacrylamide and polyvinylpyrolidone, their monomers or their mixtures, natural polymers, such as gelatine or agar, or their mixtures and, possibly, plasticizing agents, such as poly/ethylene glycol/, poly/propylene glycol/ and silicone oils, of the following composition: 2-20 percent by weight of synthetic polymers, not more than 5 percent by weight of natural polymers, not less than 75 percent by weight of distilled water and 1-3 percent by weight of plasticizing agent, into a mould imparting a shape to the dressing, tightly closing in that mould and subjecting to an ionizing radiation dose not smaller than 25 kGy.