Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising electrolytes dissolved in a buffer which is painless when administered by irrigation.This invention also relates to compositions comprising a local anesthetic such as lidocaine, procaine, mepivacaine or marcaine, dissolved in a buffered solution containing salts which do not cause pain when the solutions are administered. The compositions are useful for administration as painless local anesthetics and painless irrigation-anesthetizing solutions for human and animal use. The invention further relates to methods for painless irrigation of wounds and of inducing painless local anesthesia comprising administering an effective amount of the compositions of this invention to an animal.