A Certain Cure For Soft Corns
Dip a piece of soft linen rag in turpentine, and wrap it round the toe on which the soft corn is, night and morning; in a few days the corn will disappear; but the relief is instantaneous.
Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley
An Ingrowing Toe Nail
Put a small piece of tallow in a spoon and heat it very hot and pour it over the granulations. This acts like magic.
Source: The New Galt Cook Book, M. Taylor & F. McNaught
Nails (Ingrowing)
Scrape surface — a piece of glass is good for this purpose. Cut in V-shape. Pack absorbent cotton under affected side. Paint with iodine.
Source: The Mary Frances First Aid Book, Jane Eayre Fryer
For Corns
Mix together a little Indian meal and cold water, till it is about the consistence of thick mush. Then bind it on the corn by wrapping a small slip of thin rag round the toe. It will not prevent you from wearing your shoe and stocking. In two or three hours take it off, and you will find the corn much softened. Cut off as much of it as is soft with a penknife or scissors. Then put on a fresh poultice, and repeat it till the corn is entirely levelled, as it will be after a few regular applications of the remedy; which will be found successful whenever the corn returns. There is no permanent cure for them.
Source: Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches, Eliza Leslie
For Ingrowing Toenail
Take one drachm of muriatic acid, one drachm of nitric acid, and one ounce of chloride of zinc. Apply one drop of this mixture to the affected part once a day. This gives instant relief to the pain caused by ingrowing toenail.
Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts