Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-19

The Care Of The Feet.

What vast amount of human suffering
might be prevented did parents properly
care for the feet of their children. We do
not now refer to the matter of cleanliness,
too often disregarded. but to those points
which effect the development Of the feet,
and directly concern the future comfort oil
the individual. Fortunately the days IN
which the feet were squeezed into the small
eft possible shoe, or boot, have gone by.
But lifelong trouble may result from
wearing shoes that are too large. When
: shoe FITS badly, and there is with every
step a constant conclusion OF rubbing, the
ski, thickens at that point. At first this
trouble NAV belong only to the surface
skin or cuticIe, but after time the true
skin is effected, and in some cases even
the muscles may become involved. and
painfully diseased. These troubles, when
small. are called corns, when larger and
on the ball of great toe, "Bunions," and
on the heel, "Ribes." All have the same
origin, an undue, long continued local
pressure, and are all of the same nature,
being an attemptto resist this pressure by
a thickening and hardening of the skin.
while the parts below become exceeding
" sensitive and painful. Corns of what
ever kind may result from pressure Of
too tight a shoe, or the frequent rubbing
OF one that is too loose. Young people
should always have well fitting shoes, and
II they wear woollen stockings all the
time, they will be more likely to escape
corns than with cotton ones.
To cure corns, the first thing to be done
Is to remove the cause that is. avoid the
pressure. So long as the irritating ex
lists, application of plasters. &c, will be
OF little service. a different shoe, one
that does not touch and rub the part, will
often effect a cure. A thick buck-skin,
with hole cut to admit the corn, and
distribute the pressure to the surface
around 1t will often afford relief. In a
corn, not only is the skin unnaturally
thickened, but the flesh below is iritated
and sensitive. hence any remedy must
first be directed TO the removal of the
hardened skin, which NAV be done with a
razor, taking care always to not cut too
deep. Some corns extend downward.
like peg. pressing upon the tissues be-
low these are excessively painful, and
may give rise to serious ulcers. In every
city and large town there are skilled Chi
ropodists, and where respectable one is
at hand, it is better in such cases to can
suit him. But avoidance Is better than
any Of the many remedies, none of which
can be affective as long as the cause re-
mains. Soft corns between the toes are
often distressngly painful. These are
also produced by undue pressure. or
by friction due 10 badly fitting shoes :;
they are kept moist by prespira-
ton, and are usually very sensitive
They are often cured by simply wearing
a ping of cotton wool between the toes.
which. by relieving the pressure. removes
the cause. and the cure takes place. Ben
eft IS said to result from wetting the
cotton with tincture of arnica, or in spirits
OF turpentine, but having found the cotton
alone efficacious, we have not tried either.
A corn upon the sole of the foot some
times occurs. To cure this. wear a large
shoe or boot in which is to be cut hole,
properly large, just where the corn
touches. This distributes the weight over
the whole sole and relieves the pres
sure.
Children, especially boys. often suffer
greatly from chilblains. In their fond
ness for winter sports, especially skating,
children. if their feet are not actually
frozen, let them get very cold. While
they are very cold, they 60 suddenly to
the fire and warm them. The conse-
Quence is arrangement of the circulation
in the feet, and painful itching and burn
ing. which is apt to return whenever the
feet become cool, and are afterwards
warmed. In cases where the system is not
in good condition. chilblains may become
very troublesome. and require the care of
physician. 1t is said that kerosene is
very efiicacious in relieving the pain from
ordinary chilbains. We have found re-
lief in the use of wash of one part Of
Muriatic acid in seven parts of water. but
that was before kerosene came into COM
mon use.
The nails Of the toes should be properly
trimmed Mt frequent intervals. Young
people are apt to overlook this, and by
neglect the nails, upon great toes especial
ly. get a curvature inwards that may
cause great trouble in after life. Where
the nails get this curvature. by atendency of
the edges to curve inwards and to form
cylinder. they cause one of the most pain
full affections possible. This trouble often
results from too short shoe. and allow
ing the nail to grow too long. Where the
trouble is slight the cutting of the nail
deeper at the center than at the corners
will relieve it. If the nail is very thick
and hard. it should be scraped in the CEN
ter by means of piece of broken glass.
and. when thin enough the corners may
be lifted and bit of cotton or lint put
under each corner.
We can, without hesitation, say that Dr.
Bulfs Cough Syrup has given the best
satisfaction. We have sold an immense
amount of II during the past winter