Take two ounces of gum ammoniac,
two ounces of yellow wax,
six drams of verdigris.
Melt them together, and spread the composition on a bit
of soft leather, or a piece of linen. Cut away as much of
the corn as you can with a knife, before you apply the
plaster, which must be renewed in a fortnight, if the corn
is not by that time gone.
TO CLEAN SILKS, COTTONS, AND WOOLLENS,
_without damage to their texture or colour_.
Grate raw potatoes to a fine pulp in clean water, and pass the liquid
matter through a coarse sieve, into another vessel of water; let
the mixture stand till the fine white particles of the potatoes are
precipitated, then pour the mucilaginous liquor from the fecula, and
preserve the liquor for use. The article to be cleaned should then
be laid on a linen cloth, on a table, and having provided a clean
sponge, dip it into the potatoe liquor, and apply it to the article
to be cleaned, till the dirt is perfectly separated; then wash it in
clean water several times. Two middle-sized potatoes will be enough
for a pint of water. The coarse pulp, which does not pass through
the sieve, is of great use in cleaning worsted curtains, tapestry,
carpets, and other coarse goods. The mucilaginous liquor will clean
all sorts of silk, cotton, or woollen goods, without hurting or
spoiling the colour; it may be also used in cleaning oil paintings,
or furniture that is soiled. Dirtied painted wainscots may be cleaned
by wetting a sponge in the liquor, then dipping it in a little clean
sand, and afterwards rubbing the wainscot with it.