AND MALFORMATIONS OF THE FEET. 67 



time, and therefore should not be removed artifi- 

 cially. Again, the paring of the seat of corn 

 weakens the crust and bars by depriving them of 

 the lateral support which they would otherwise 

 derive from the presence of the insensitive sole in 

 that angle of the foot, and in so far has a tendency 

 to produce rather than to prevent the evil. 



Again, there is a further reason against this 

 paring. Nature has made that part not more 

 recessed than other parts of the sole. We may 

 therefore conclude, that in common with the rest 

 of the sole it is intended to bear a certain amount 

 of pressure. The amount of pressure which it 

 will naturally receive, when the crust and bars are 

 maintained in their integrity, is doubtless good for 

 it, and will tend to strengthen it, and so prevent 

 the liability to corn. 



Corns, when treated only by paring out, even 

 though they may be got rid of for a time, generally 

 reappear. The means of their permanent removal 

 will be found in the careful preservation of the 

 crust and bars, and in the proper fitting and length 

 of the shoes. 



Probably from the greater degree to which the 

 sole is recessed, and therefore removed from all 

 chance of undue pressure, corns are seldom or 

 ever found in the hind feet. 



The author believes that he is justified by 

 practical experience in saying that corns will never 



5—2 



