The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-07-29
Corns.

Corns consist of layers of thickened cpl
dermis-the transparent coating that pro-
tects the sensitive true skin beneath.
This epidermis is in constant process of
formation from the true skin, and is as
constantly being thrown off in minute par
ticles.
1t is as destitute of feeling as the nails
indeed, the nails-as also the scales on the
legs of fowls and on bodies of fshes-are
only modified epidermis.
CornS are among the "excrescencesr of
civilization. A higher civilization, how
ever, which shall conform the shoe to the
foot, instead of the foot to the shoe, will
know of them only as we know of the
crushed feet of Chinese women,
A thickening. of the epidermis having
been caused at the points of special pres
sure, this inflames still further the skin
beneath, giving rise to successive layers of
thickened epidermis, which cannot be
thrown of like ordinary scarf-skin.
Between the vital force beneath, and the
pressure of the shoe above, the central Dor
ton comes to nave the hardness of nail.
If a splinter is left in the finger, the flesh
above and around it will die, and new skin
be formed below, which will in time lift
the splinter out. But in the case of corns,
Natures efforts are thwarted by the per-
SASNNAN BANSaaAlO " WHICH GUH-
stantly enlarges the corn from below.
The first step toward relief is to secure
a shoe anatomically correct in construction.
Meanwhile, remove the pressure from the
corn in whatever way may be possible,
A pointed knife run down carefully be-
tween the layers will easily take it out
for the time-the central core. Sometimes
1T can be picked u with the nail, after
soaking the feet three successive nights in
warm water. TIE soaking swells the core
and lii posts lifted by the frost, it seldom
returns fully to its place. But as the cores
always fill no again, the only permanent
remedy is th4 removal of the cause.
Preserving TIMBER IN GRoUND.-In
speaking of the w~ell-known methods of
preserving posts and wood which are partly
embedded in the earth, by charring and coat
ing with tar, it is said these methods are
only effective when both are applied.
Should the poles only be charred without
the subsequent treatment with tar, the
charcoal formation on the surface would
only act a al absorber of the moisture,
and, if anything only hasten the decay.
By applying a coating of tar without pre-
viously charming, the tar would only form
4 casing about the wood, nor would it pen
tratc : tho depth which the absorbing
properties o. thu charcoal surface would
insure. Wood that is exposed 70 the ac-
ton of water or let into the ground should
first be charred, and then, before it
has entirely cooled, be treated with tar till
the wood is thoroughly ~impregnated. The
acetic acids and oils contained in the tar
are ~evaporated by the heat, and only the
resin left behind, which penetrates the
pores of the wood and forms an alright
and waterproof envelope. 1t is impor-
tant to impregnate the pole a little above
the line of exposure, for here it is that the
action of decay affects the wood first, and
where the break always occurs when re-
moved from the earth OF strained in testing.