As long as fashion, instead of common sense, is followed in the making of both boots and shoes, men and women will as a matter of course suffer from corns.
It has often struck me as singular, when all the professions and trades are so overstocked, that there should be, as there is in every large town, such a want of chiropodists (corn-cutters)—of respectable chiropodists—of men who would charge a fixed sum for every visit the patient may make; for instance, to every working-man a shilling, and to every gentleman half a crown or five shillings for each sitting, and not for each corn (which latter system is a most unsatisfactory way of doing business). I am quite sure that if such a plan were adopted, every town of any size in the kingdom would employ regularly one chiropodist at least. However we might dislike some few of the American customs, we may copy them with advantage in this particular—namely, in having a regular staff of chiropodists both in civil and in military life.
The German method of making boots and shoes is a capital one for the prevention of corns, as the boots and shoes are made scientifically, to fit a real and not an ideal foot.
One of the best preventives of, as well as of the best remedies for, corns, especially of soft corns between the toes, is washing the feet every morning, as recommended in a previous Conversation, taking especial care to wash with the thumb, and afterward to wipe with the towel between each toe. [See Youth—Ablution.]
375. What is the best remedy to destroy a Wart?
Pure nitric acid, carefully applied to the wart by means of a small stick of cedar wood, a camel’s-hair pencil-holder, every other day, will soon destroy it. A very small quantity of pure nitric acid—just a drain at the bottom of a stoppered bottle—is all that is needed, and which may be procured of a chemist.
Care must be taken that the acid does not touch the healthy skin, or it will act as a caustic to it.
The nitric acid should be preserved in a stoppered bottle, and must be put out of the reach of children.
376. What is the best remedy for Tender Feet, for Sweaty Feet, and for Smelling Feet?
Cold water: bathing the feet in cold water, beginning with tepid water but gradually from day to day reducing the warm until the water be quite cold. A large nursery-basin, one-third full of water, ought to be placed on the floor, and one foot at a time should be put in the water washing the while with a sponge the foot, and with the thumb between each toe. Each foot should remain in the water about half a minute. The feet ought after each washing to be well dried, taking care to dry with the towel between each toe. The above process must be repeated at least once every day, every morning, and, if the annoyance be great, every night as well. A clean pair of stockings ought in these cases to be put on daily, as perfect cleanliness is absolutely necessary both to afford relief and to effect a cure.