Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-26

supports the transverse arch by making the
inner surface Of the sole corresponding to 1t
convex instead of concsve transverssly; he
makes the middle portion Of the sole convex
again in both directions to support the longi-
tudinsl arch, and for the same reason ex-
tends the heel of the boot or shoe forward,
so as to support tho anterior portion of the /
heel of the foot. Second, DR.. Plumer
takes an old shoe that has done good service, |
and studies the reIiefs and holloEs which the /
foot has shaped on the inner surface Of its |
sole. Comparing the empirical results of
this examination with those based on the an |
atomical data above given, and finding a
general coincidence in them, he constructs
his last in accordance with their joint teach
ings.
We are informed that the Plumer Last
| has been adopted for the use Of tho army.
We add our own humble belief that DR..
Plumer deserves we'll of mankind for apply
ing sound anatomical principles to the con-
| struction of coverings for the feet, and for
cOntriving Last serving as model Tor
| boot or shoe which is adapted to the form OF
the foot from tho first, instead of having to
be broken in by painful series of hmping
excursions, too often accompanied by imps-
tient and even profane utterances.
Mr.. 7. G.. Sholes, the Well-known boot and
shoe merchant of this city, has purchased
the right to use this most valuable of modern
inventions, and is prepared to fill orders
promptly. Those who desire healthy and
perfectly easily fitting boo, should leave their
measure there.
We are informed that the Plumer Patent
Last" having been perfected in its details,
is now being generally adopted by wholesale
manufacturers and that the " Patent Last
Company" of Boston, are now selling the
right for custom work for counties and towns,
at prices based upon the population, being
from to per cent.
This scientific invention, one Of the most
humane of the age, has received the unquali-
fed approval and Endorsement OF the most
eminent physicians and scientific gentlemen
of the country, prominent among whom la
Prof. o. W. Holmes, of Harvard University,
from whose pen is the article in the May
3 number of the Atlantic Monthly, d" The Hu-
4 man Wheel, its Spokes and Folloes." The
q | same article appears in DR.. Holmes new vol
ume, =" Soundings from the Atlantic" re-
Gently published by Mtssrs. Tioknor i Fields
= We have on our desk two pamphlets-on'
= CO. The Abuses of the Foot, and hints upon
Shoe-making," by DR.. Plumer /; the other
" Why the Shoe Pinches," by Prof. Meyer
of Zurich, reprinted in this country by DR.
J., Plumer, are sent gratis on application to th'
=, author, No. Bath Street, Bsston-from tn
r prefscs of the former of which We make tn
- following selections
l. Only the more serious eoDgenital deformi
l. ties Of the human foot, such as the variede
. of Climb foot, &c.. have seaeraIIy engaged tn
y attention of surgeons. Many Of them, how
~ ever, of skill-among them Ferguson, Liston
?. Druit, Ashley Cooper and others-have sllu
1t ded to the more important mechanical dis
n tortiols, such as bunion, splay-foOt, &c
with suggestions as to the proper surgiea
treatment required. Sir Benz Brodie
in his Clinical Lectures, has devoted an en-
y tire chapter to corns and bunions, and thei
Of treatment; but none OF them have com
+ msnced with the cause OfVery many Of thes
n, troublesome distortions, the shoemakeT's las
So long as boots and shoes are fashiOne
~ upon blocks of wood having no features
4 common with those of the foot, they must, c
g. a matter Of course, produce distortions upO
% the feet of the Wearer.
- II the cut of the shoe is not, as the cut
OF the coat, matter of indifference, most Gel
a. tlinly the form of the last should not be
ct subject of fashionable change, especially
its important qualities.
u II, when fashion prescribes an arbitrsI
r form Of q shoe, she goes far beyond b
O. province, and in reality srrogates to herse
a the right of determining the shape of Il
foot, how is it when she prescribes the for
and proportions eff the last upon which Il
d. shoe is moulded?
lie At present, the lsst-maker produces q fasl
ionable last, and from it the bootmaker
fashionable boot, and our feet, alone at fau
- in the estimation Of the last and shoemake
= have to suffer; for if the boot is not made
II fit the feot, the foot must be made to fit
In and in doing this the foot is distorted.
on One Of the plainest indications of q wal
" of propriety in the construction Of our 70
80 clothing is the universally distorted cond
VI ton of the human foot; and the proportion
Tor ate majority of pedal distortions among Il
so disciples of st. Crispin is, to say the lea!
no suggestive.
In order for custom bootmsker to ha
Is ia really nice perception of what he is
rst undertake" the surgical instrument hr is
construct, he should have some knowledge
he the anatomical mechanism of the hum
foot, especially of the solid structure.
NJ The line of direction, and distance fro
he the heel, OF the bzII or Joint of the great to
should be carefully considered, for "upon
the weight Of the body turns at every step
And the relation to it of the cOrrespondil
.u- point in the sole of the shoe Is important
iui hcm, elastic, and easy tread, as we'll as
To- the economical wearing and comfort of t
an bsot.
That boot and shoe making, and the 7
quirements and abuses Of the foot, are su
&c jectV upon which the people should be bett
-o- informed, and upon which more attenti
Of should be bestowed by the craft, does not a
nit of question. A properly construct
'S' boot or shoe is essential to thorough muscul
development and health for without
,aI heslthful exercise is tedious, if not impO
h sible,
RUMsEYs MIN,TAELs-Last Nigh