Having first cleaned the corns, apply one of the septics, either
verdigris, red arsenic, the powder for fistulæ, or the collyrium for
fistulæ instead of gum mixed with ammoniac. A corn is a white circular
body like the head of a nail, forming in all parts of the body, but
more especially on the soles of the feet and toes. It may be removed in
the course of some time by paring away the prominent part of the corn
constantly with a scalpel, or rubbing it down with pumice. The same thing
may be done with callus. The ashes of unripe lupines burnt, and mixed
with honey, are of use; or misy added to liquid pitch; or gith, with the
urine of a boy not come to puberty; or bean-meal boiled with vinegar.
And this is an application of approved efficacy for the same purpose: Of
cantharides, of copperas, of castor, equal parts; mix with turpentine
until it become of the consistence of a plaster, and apply to the corn
previously cleaned all around.—_Another_: Of burnt lees of wine, of
quicklime, of mistletoe, equal parts, with strained lye, or the urine of
a boy not come to puberty.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Aëtius delivers the treatment of corns fully, but his
remedies, although similar to those of our author, are not of such ready
application.
Celsus says that, by simply paring corns, the part may often be softened.
Afterwards rosin mixed with a small quantity of the lapis molaris may be
applied.
Avicenna states that, when the disease is not cured, it may end in
cancer. Marcellus directs us to pare corns, and apply to them a
composition of arsenic and turpentine rosin.
For corns Rhases recommends a composition of red arsenic, quicklime,
quicksilver killed, with the ashes of acorns (_impure potash?_) and oil.
He also joins Galen in recommending a composition of cantharides and
arsenic. For the callus he recommends the juice of figs and of spurge.
(Contin. xxxvi.)