Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1899 — Death of Corn Microbes. [ARTICLE]

Death of Corn Microbes.

That little bit of tough skin on the business side of the little toe, that unfailing barometer and inducer of pedal agony, the corn, is not simply the result of wearing boots too tight or too loose, as we have been taught to believe. It has a far more important pedigree than that, and actually boasts a bacillus—the com bacillus, ills identity has long been hidden, but a Trappist monk discovered the rascal, and his complete .destruction may be looked for in the near future. The pesky organism has been dignified with a name. Bacillus dlabolicus it is called. Physicians will abbreviate that to Dl. The monk of La Trappe who found him gives detailed instructions for the capture and punishment of the vicious mite for the benefit of suffering humanity. The prescription is composed of thirty grains of perchloride of mercury in solution and thirty drops laudanum de Sydenham. Place this on the affected spot and the career of the bacillus dlabolicus comes to an ignoble end. The mother of one of our soldiers in the late war was busy packing a box containing food to send to him, and the servant was watching the operation. Having placed the last article in, the mother said: guess that is all, Nora; we will now nail it up.” “Excuse me, mum," Mid Nora, “bnt bow is be ever