Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-23
READ
rHR FOLLOWING
COMMUNICATION
FROM
On. NJ. scHLossER.
Author Of several works on Diseases Of the Fest.
COMMUNICATION
NEGLECT OF The FEET.
DANGER OF CUTTING coRNs.

Corns are too commonly regarded 90 mere ex-
crescenses, and that httle 10 necessary but 90
scrsse or out OF the external surface; whereas, the
eradication Of them, snd that In q msnner not 90
dslicsov that only without danger be performed
b. one who has made that branch of surgery the
special object Of attention.
The extraction Of teeth, and the cure Of diseases
in them, In the gums, were, few yesrs ago Goa
sdsred 90 lesitimstelI within the province Of snr
one who was dubbed q surgeon, till experience
taught that thst braGoh Of the hesns art rec uirc
specis application AMI study. Few, now, Who
have the means. think Of employing any bat req
ular dentist % attend 30 diseases affecting NE
teeth.
50 intimate are the relations Of all parts Of the
human frame With each othsr, that dis-sse IN any
particular psrtion, affects the whole system; nor
does distsnos from what may be called the center
Of tie ~ stem, diminish ths intimacy OF the res
toe; on the CONTRARY, pains or disesse az the az
tremItes are perhaps more difficult Of slleviston
than in more central parts.
At the present day we find large portion Of IN.
community, from the highest Co the lowest, subject
% severe sufsrings from Insttention Of surgeons
to the Affections Co which the feet subject.
They have generally been considered Of so trivia q
nature ss to bs unworthy Of serious inc uiry, and
have consequently been consigned TO class of men
whose sspreme ignorance has thrown ohlIsuy upon
those who have both the wish and tho power Co
alleviate pain and proonz life.
There 10 no part Of the human foot in which corns
have not occanonslly been found; 10th the most
delicate and most hsrde ned portions Of 10. iniesu-
ments have thus been footed. The Fret idea
which naturally prevents itself % those who
suffering from any kind Of pain 10 Instantaneous
relef," and N any are mostly willing % allow the
Jens ct oriso n1alr' TO remain and .gsin 10 become
the fruitful offspring OF pain. rather than 20 apply
to = skillful operator, even though he oau perms-
nently eradicate the dangerous nuIssnoe. On the
other hand. the confidence Of the public 10 much
abused BY q class Of self educated sud sef-extol-
Ing Practitioner, who pretend 20 have discovered
infshbe means to prevent diseases such 90 90
have described. th,t Innumersble dIf1oulties SUR
round the suhject
Specifies for Gil the ills Of life are discovered
daily and hourly, especially in the department 90
which have devoted my time and attention. Plss-
ters, lotions, 30, &o., are brought before the
sstonished world IS possessing powers infsllible
According 30 their own assertions they have never
been known TO fsil; and what chance mas he who
has devoted his vbols life TO Inc uiry, but 10 hon
eety confess that the deviatons OF nature surpese
his expectations; that her ways are often inscru-
table, and all that he do 10 TO study. TO learn.
and to try to cure, without protesting that every
malodr lie subject TO his superior skill.
Most urgently do recommend those who are sf
hicted with Corns, however harmless they may ar-
pear. however easily ren owed, never TO have re
course TO the knife. The most appalling spssms,
oonvulsons terrible TO behold, and lock jaw, have
ATTENDED on tie y sounding O branch Of nerve By O
common pen knife, as a,s0 hemorrhase, sosroely
10 be arrested. an not fond Of giving csses, for
an sorry 70 hnd that every empire who practices
any branch of the medicsl profession fsnciee that
the true avenue 70 employment is 20 rsTrste extra
ordinary cases, whether true not, becsuse he
fsnoies that people viii see something in what they
read which may remind them Of their own suffer
ing. I would refer TO vast numbers OF examples
which have encountered in this city, il thought
IL necessary TO mentionIt
strenuously recommend those who ,uasr from
Cons, never TO have 20 the knif,. 20 the
razor, or even 10 the scissors, but 20 plscs them
selves, a. soon possiUle. under the mans< ement
Of some who has long been skilled IN their cure
Sufferers from Corns will find temporary relief
from plunging the foot in Q hot pedularism, pour
Ing In, from time TO time, hot ster. The diseased
part should be aseidnously rubbed with q orr,
rough towel. In the greater number Of instances
this process will be followed by the loosenins Of
the GALLONS substance; there will be neither pain
uneasness left, although the corn will remsin
still relief 10 obtained, without the danger which
cutting may produce. IL 10 impossible % be com
pletey rid off Corn, unless extirpsted BY skill
ful and experienced operator. II I sypysr some
what tedious this matter, iifI have been tuity
Of repettions, trust that may be excused for sn
carpestness and anxiety on q subject which
conceive Of more Importance. almost. than any
rules l could lsy down. IL is q maxim would
have startling taught to rspeat-it 10 q sentence
vhch should be repeated in the ear Of every suffer
er from corns-Itis voice which should be echoed
hack OF every ecossion-"do not ute q Knife" IT,
after suoa q warning, here should be any sufioi-
enty venturesome 10 neglect il The danger on On ir
own bead, but the repentance viii come too lats.
DR.. M. A. sCHLOsSER.