A compress for dressing wounds contains a depot layer (1) for storing liquids. A guiding layer (2) is assigned to the side of the depot layer (1) which faces the front side of the compress, which guiding layer is constructed in such a manner that the secretion which reaches it can spread out predominantly along said layer (2), before it reaches the depot layer (1). In order to achieve this effect, channels (3) are formed in the surface of the guiding layer (2) which faces the front side of the compress. Said channels (3) extend in the direction of the surface of the guiding layer (2). The two layers (1, 2) are arranged between a surface ply (10) and a lower sealing layer (15), the edges (16, 17) of which are bonded. Liquids which reach the surface layer spread out rapidly and evenly over the entire surface of the compress.