Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-21
NE6LECr OF THE FEET.
DANGER FCUTTrNG CoRNS.
On. M. sCaLOssER,

Corns are too commonly regarded as mere en-.
cresoensss, and that little necessary but TO
cut of the external surfsce; whereas thu
eradication of them, and that in manner not 10
injure the flesh, is operation OF great care ana
delioaoy that only without danger be performed
By one who has made that branch OF surgery the
special object of attention.
The extraction Of teeth, and the cure Of diseases
In them, or In the gums, were, few ears ago
sidsred as legamatsl, within the province Of any
one who was dubbed q surgeon, till experience
taught thst that branch Of the healing art aired
special application and study. Few, now, who
have the means. think Of employing snr but reg
ular dentist to attend 10 diseases affecting the
teeth.
20 intimate are the relations OF all parts Of the
human frame with each other. that dis 'ase IN any
particular portion, Affects the whole system: nor
does distance from what may he called the center
OF q 81 stsm, diminish the intimacy OF the rels
tor; the CONTRARY, pains or disease of the ex-
tremites are perhaps more difficult OF alienation
than in more central parts.
At the present day we find large portion Of the
community, from the highest TO the lowest, subject
TO severe sufferings from IbsttentIon Of surgeons
tn the Affections 10 which the feet are subject.
They have generally been considered Of so trIvia
nature as 10 be unworthy of serious inquiry, and
have consequently been consigned 10 q class Of men
whose Supreme ignorance has thrown ohhquy urou
those who have both the wish and the power to
alleviate pain aud prolong life
There 10 10 part of the human foot in which
| have not occasionally been found; 10th the most
delicate and most harde ned portions Of its integu
mentE have thus been fecte3. The first IDEA
which naturally presents itself TO those who are
suffering from any kind Of pain is Instantaneous
rehef," and many are mostly willing to allow the
IONS ct origo trdlT to remain and again 20 b~ooms
the fruitful offspring of pain, rather than 10 apply
TO asklllful operator, even though he can perms-
| nently eradicate the dangerous nuisance. On the
other hand, the confidence of the public is much
| abused BY GLASS of self educated and self-exto-
| infslllble means to prevent diseases such a. we
have described thst Innumerahle difficulties sur
| round the subj Aot.
| Specifies for al the ills Of life are discovered
| daily and hourly, especially in the department 10
| which have devoted my tlme and attention. Plss-
| tiers, lotions, 30, &C., are brought before the
| astonished world as possessing powers iufalible
According to their own assertions they have never
been known to fail; and what chance mas he who
has devoted his whole life 10 inquiry, but TO hon.
esty confess that the deviations Of nature surpass
his expectations: that her ways are often inscru-
table, and all that he do is to etudy. to learn.
and TO try to cure, without protesting that every
| masdy Is subject 20 his superior skill.
| Most urgently do recommend those who are az
tIcted with Corns, however harmless they may ap-
pear, however easily rem owed, never 20 have
| course to the knife. The most appalling spasms
/
attended on tire sounding q branch of q nerve by a
| common pen knife, also hemorrhage, scsrcsly
| to he arrested. am not fond of giving cases. for
| an sorry to find that every empirio who practices
any branch Of the medical profession, fancies thai
the true avenue to employment ia to neTrate extra
| ordinary oases. whether true or not, becsuse he
fances that people will something in " hat they
| read which may remind them of their own suffer
| ing. l would refer TO vast numbers Of examples
which have encountered in this city, if thong HI
| IL necessary to mentionIt.
strenuousiy recommend those who suffer from
CONS never to have recourse to the knit. to the
razor, or even 20 the scissors, but to pacs them.
selves, as soon as possible. under the manaze nj
of some who has long been skill In their cure
Sufferers from Corns will find temporary relief
from plunging the foot in q hot pedulsrium, pour.
ing in. from time to time, hot water. The diseased
| part should be assiduously rubbed with a dry,
| rough towel. 1nthe greater member of instances
this process will be followed by the Ioosenlnr OF
the oallous substance; there will be neither pair
nor unessiness eft. although the corn will remsip
etill relief is obtained Without the danger which
cutting may produce IL is impossible to be DOM.
pletely rid of Corn, unless extirpated by skill
fu ADD experienced operator. IL I app ar some.
what tedious IN this matter, iifI have been guilt,
of repettions, trust that may be excused for an
| earaestness and an anxiety on a subject which
| conceive Of more Importance, almost, than any
rules | could lay down. IL is a maxim vould
have startling taught TO rcpsat-it Is a seut,noe
which should be repeated in the If every su Ter
er from corns-Itis voice winch should be echoed
| hack on every eooasion-'do not use Knife IL
after such q warning, here should be any suf5oi-
ent venturesome 10 neglect the danger on IN Ir
own head, but the repentance will come too late
DIR. NJ. A. SCHLOSSER