natural or synthetic rubber surgical elements such as tubing , catheters , drains and gloves are &# 34 ; lubricated &# 34 ; so as to prevent sticking during storage , and permit easier emplacement , such as putting on the gloves by a surgeon or nurse , by applying to the surface of the rubber element a finely divided biodegradable powder consisting essentially of an enzymatically degradable form of poly selected from the group consisting of poly - d - glucosamine ], poly - d - glucosamine ], poly - d - glucosamine ], and poly itself this powder is readily absorbed by living tissue without deleterious tissue reaction , thus minimizing tissue reaction from the transfer of the powder from the element such as a glove to internal sites in a subject . the gloves may be packaged in a strippable laminate package . the polymers are derived from chitin .