Wound licking is an instinctive response in humans and many other animals to an injury. Dogs, cats, rodents and primates all lick wounds. The enzyme lysozyme is found in many tissues and is known to attack the cell walls of many gram-positive bacteria, aiding in defense against infection. Tears are also beneficial to wounds due to the lysozyme enzyme.
Read more about Wound Licking: Mechanism, In Non-human Animals, In Humans, Idiomatic Use, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words wound and/or licking:
“We cannot assume the injustice of any actions which only create offense, and especially as regards religion and morals. He who utters or does anything to wound the conscience and moral sense of others, may indeed act immorally; but, so long as he is not guilty of being importunate, he violates no right.”
—Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt (1767–1835)
“My father fight against you last time. We give you one good licking then and we do it again.”
—Emeric Pressburger (1902–1988)