AN IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR CORNS, BUNIONS, ABRASIONS, OR PROTUBERANCES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Wilson, of Leadenhall Street, in the City of
London, Merchant, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR
CORNS, BUNIONS, ABRASIONS, OR PROTUBERANCES."
Sealed the 7th February 1879, and dated the 9th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Wilson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1878.
"AN
MATTHEW WILSON, of Leadenhall Street, in the City of London, Merchant.
IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR CORNS, BUNIONS, ABRASIONS, OR PROTUBERANCES."
This Invention consists of an improved appliance for corns, bunions, abrasions, or
protuberances, whereby a boot or shoe can be worn without pain to the wearer from
any of the above causes.
The appliance consists of an elastic band or bandage of any convenient shape,
made of india-rubber (vulcanized preferred) or other suitable elastic material, on the
top of which is a hole or cavity, and over this hole or cavity I place a cap, thus
forming a receptacle; the cap will be made to a size corresponding to the hole or
cavity in the band (or appliance and for the purpose to which it is to be
applied.
The cap or receptacle will form an air-tight chamber, thus preserving moisture
which will have the effect of softening the corn which is ultimately destroyed, the
under part or all the rest of the band or bandage is perforated so that air may freely
circulate round the toe or foot, and in some cases I may use the material known as
elastic web, and adapt my air chamber or shield to the same, and in this case
perforations will not be necessary. This combined band and cap will be cast in
suitable moulds in a similar manner to that employed in the manufacture of india-
rubber toys, or they can be manufactured by hand.

page_text: In the cases of corns the wearer will draw the elastic band appliance or bandage
over the toe or other part till the hole or cavity is exactly over the corn, the crown
of the corn will then be received in the cap or receptacle before-mentioned. By this
means all friction is avoided, and by reason of the elasticity of the material it can be
compressed into a very small space, and cause little or no inconvenience to the
wearer.
The same mode of applying my Invention is applicable to cases of bunions or,
where by friction, accident, or otherwise, an abrasion of the skin has occurred, and
which will effectually protect the sore or tender part from injury, and the same with
reference to all kinds of protuberances on the foot.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Matthew Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th February
1879.
" AN
MATTHEW WILSON, of Leadenhall Street, in the City of London, Merchant.
IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR CORNS, BUNIONS, ABRASIONS, OR PROTUBERANCES."
This Invention consists of an improved appliance for corns, bunions, abrasions, or
protuberances, and other excresences.
The apparatus consists of an elastic band or bandage of any convenient shape
and of any suitable width, and made of india-rubber (vulcanized preferred) or other
suitable elastic material, on the top or centre of which is a hole or cavity, and over
this hole or cavity I place a cap or cover, thus forming a receptacle; the cap or
cover, will be made to a size corresponding to the hole or cavity in the band or
appliance, and for the purpose to which it is to be applied the band should be made
sufficiently broad so as to set firmly in its place.
The cap or receptacle will form an air-tight chamber, thus preserving moisture,
which will have the effect of softening the corn which is ultimately destroyed, while
any protuberance or abrasion is protected from friction. The under part or all the
rest of the band or bandage may be perforated so that air may freely circulate round
the toe or foot, or other part of the body, and in some cases I may use the material
known as elastic web, and adopt my air chamber or shield to the same, and in this
case perforations will not be necessary. This combined band and cap will be cast in
suitable moulds in a similar manner to that employed in the manufacture of india-
rubber toys, or they can be manufactured by hand as circumstances may require or
which will be found most convenient.
In the case of corns the wearer will draw the elastic band appliance or bandage
over the toe or other part, till the hole or cavity is exactly over the corn, sore, or
excrescence, the crown of the corn will then be received in the cap or receptacle
before mentioned; by this means all friction is avoided, and by reason of the elasticity
of the material it can be compressed into a very small space, and cause little or no
inconvenience to the wearer, and in some cases I may apply an adhesive material to
the inside of the band for the purpose of firmly securing the same in its proper
position.
The same mode of applying my Invention is applicable to cases of bunions, or
where by friction, accident, or otherwise an abrasion of the skin has occurred, and
which will effectually protect the sole or tender part from injury, and the same with
reference to all kinds of protuberances.
Sometimes I may adapt a fabric as a substitute for the band part of the appliance,
in which case it will be found advantageous to coat it with rubber.
I apply an adhesive material to the fabric so as to enable the appliance to be
applied to any part of the body, and it may be of the finest texture or otherwise, as
required.
And in order that this my said Invention may be readily understood, I will refer
to the annexed Drawings of the same, wherein Fig. 1 represents a perspective view
of one of my appliances shewn as worn on the foot; Fig. 2 shews a view of under
side of the same; Fig. 3 shews a plan of the upper side of same; Fig. 4 shews a
cross section at a-b.
Fig. 5 represents a view of another of my appliances shewn as worn on the foot;
Fig. 6 shews a view of the under side of the same as it appears before being wound
round the toe or other part to which it is applied; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section
of the same at c―d.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention, I declare that
what I claim and desire. to be secured to me is,-
First. The improved appliance for corns and other useful purposes, substantially
as herein-before described.

page_text: Second. The peculiar and novel arrangement of parts whereby an air chamber is
made and formed, as shewn on Drawings, as` and for the purposes herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Matthew Wilson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
MATTHEW WILSON. (L.S.)