hydrocolloidal dispersions of random interpolymer compositions that have a capacity for absorbing water in amounts of from 10 to 125 times their own weight or greater and are also bacteriostatic are prepared by the polymerization in aqueous medium of a mixture of monomers comprising up to about 90 % by weight of an ester of an α , β - olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol having a terminal quaternary ammonium group and at least one α , β - olefinically unsaturated comonomer in the presence of a crosslinking agent comprising a difunctional monomer derived from an α , β - olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid . the interpolymer compositions can be used for binding or coating nonwoven fabrics including paper to improve water absorbency , or cast into a structurally self - supporting film . a water dispersion of the interpolymer can also be formed into a gel , which can be shaped into useful articles or alternatively dried and pulverized into bacteriostatic hydrophilic particles .