It has been suggested that here is an instance in which the remedial effort made by Nature converts itself into a diseased and painful action, defeating its primary purpose and creating a worse condition than the one sought to be relieved. But this is not correct. Nature does not put the boot on the foot, nor continue its wear after the corn has originated. On the contrary, if her intimations were heeded, the boot would be discarded the first time it pinched, and there is every reason to believe that then the growth of the corn would be discontinued, and what had already formed would disappear. It is stated in medical works that persons confined by sickness for a considerable time have had their corns entirely leave them without any treatment at all, simply because there was no pressure to keep up the irritation, and consequently no demand for their existence. It has been generally considered that tight boots were the great _cause_ of all the corns and bunions with which the feet have been tormented, and tight boots have accordingly been cursed from toe to heel for their mischievous qualities in this respect. Though it is true that the unnecessary tightness of boots is a principal source of corns, there are others that may not be overlooked. _Loose_ boots, that allow the heel to slip up and down, or the whole foot to slide forward at every step, are effective in the production of these annoyances. Hard, stiff leather is another quite efficient thing in this way. Whether the boot be tight or loose makes not much difference, if it be stiff and hard. Large wrinkles over the joint may sometimes have an effect of the same kind, especially if the leather is no softer “than it ought to be.” High heels, that pitch the foot forward, and keep it constantly bearing against the leather over the toes, have a great tendency to develop corns. The drawing together of the toes by boots and shoes that are _narrow_ at this point, forcing the toes to crowd against each other, and pushing out the great-toe joint, is one of the most productive of all causes. When occurring upon the bottom of the foot, a peg or some hard projection of the insole of the boot is the agent to which they may be attributed. Between the toes they are most frequently developed, probably by the pressure of a boot that is too narrow, not only at the ends of the toes, but at their roots or metatarsal joints.