Corns are always the result of continued pressure, such as wearing shoes
too small or not properly fitted to the foot. At first they are merely
thickenings of the outer skin, but in time they come to be connected
with the true skin beneath, and even with the muscles. There are almost
as many corn cures advertised and recommended as there are corns, and
sometimes they all fail, but here are a few of the most approved:
Soak the corn for half an hour in a solution of soda, and after paring
it as closely as possible without pain apply a plaster of the following
ingredients: Purified ammonia, two ounces; yellow wax, two ounces, and
acetate of copper, six drachms. Melt the first two together and after
removing them from the fire add the copper acetate just before they grow
cold. Spread this ointment on a piece of soft leather or on linen and
bind it in place. If this application is kept on the corn faithfully for
two weeks there should be a certain cure.
The soft corn occurs between the toes and from the same causes, but in
consequence of the moisture which reaches it, it remains permanently
soft. It may be healed by first cutting away the thick skin from the
surface, then touching it with a drop of Friar’s balsam and keeping a
piece of fresh cotton for a cushion between the toes.
Tincture of arnica or turpentine will serve a similar purpose.
A small piece of lemon bandaged over a corn will help to relieve the
pain and enable it to be treated to good advantage.
Corn plasters made of felt, with a hole punched through the center, will
cushion the troublesome visitor so that it may be treated with the
proper remedies and the pain be relieved at the same time.