Osmosis is mainly described as the movement of water or fluids through a permeable or semi-permeable membrane because of a specific difference in potential gradient. Applying the process of osmosis on wounds, such as into a scab or nosebleed, has been used since ancient times by Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. They do this by applying salt water to wounds. Even today, salt water in the form of saline is still used to treat minor wounds and hasten their healing. Osmosis forces liquid in the cells to move out of the body, taking along with them any bacteria that has also entered through the wound; thus, healing the wound area and leaving it a little dry.