The Osceola times., 1885-08-08
CARE OF THE FEET.
The Cause of Cold Feet-Perspiration, and
How 1t May he Prevented.

The Cause of Cold Feet-Per.piration. and
How 1t May BE Prevented.
There are two great sources of trouble
with feet that shoemakers are more or
less blamed for, but which can be easily
overcome by simple methods of treat
ment. The most common trouble is
cold feet. In their normal condition
the feet are able to endure a certain
degree of cold without discomfort. but
some feet seem to be constantly cold
and painful, even in moderate weather.
The immediate cause of cold feet is, of
course. lack of proper circulation of the
blood in the extremities. Persons whose
blood circulation is naturally weak are
pretty sure 90 have cold feet, unless the
feet and ankles are well protected. In
one sense the shoemakeris to blame, for
il the shoes are too tight, or if there is
an undue amount of pressure at the in
step or at the ankles. the flow of the
blood is partially cut off. This being
the case, the small blood vessels in the
feet become narrowed or contracted.
and there is not sufficient circulation 10
convey the needed warmth. The toes
in particular should have room enough,
and pressure here is worse than at the
ankles, because the blood vessels taper
to minute branches at the extremities,
and it is easier to check the circulation
than il is at the ankle or instep, where
the blood vessels are larger.
Cold feet lead to number Of other
bodily troubles. The circulation be-
ing in measure cut eff. there is
an excess Of blood in the upper portion
of the body, and the pressure on the
blood vessels Of the head produce head
ache, as well as congestion of the in
ternal organs. 1t is well known to any
one having any experience in remedial
often be quickly relieved by hot appli-
cations to the feet, and. in fact, this is
one of the first things that physician
orders. Numerous other diseases are
either caused or complicated by this
interference with the circulation by
reason of cold feet
After the blood vessels of the feet
have become so narrowed, either from
general i'll health or from badly fitting
shoes, it is generally necessary TO adopt
some active treatment to overcome the
trouble of cold feet. The change TO
more roomy shoes will, of course, be of
some benefit, but TO permanently remedy
the evil the circulation of the blood
must be restored. To accomplish this,
plenty of exercise should be taken in
the open air, and the feet soaked in
warm water every night. This aids the
circulation, counteracts the tendency TO
congestion by enlarging the blood ves-
sells, and helps to relieve the feet of their
special tendency to coldness. Another
simple expedient for those who do mot
have a chance for walking exercise is to
stand and raise the heels slowly, throw.
ing the full weight of the body on the
toes Settle back on the heels again and
repeat the operation frequently or until
the action of the muscles of the feet and
toes stimulates the circulation of the
blood and restores the feet to natural
warmth. This treatment alone will often
suffice.
A still more unpleasant evil, though
not so bad in its effects on the general
health, is the tendency to profuse per-
spiraton of the fest, causing bad odor.
This often amounts to a positive disease,
and the frequent washings seem only to
increase the trouble. Persons afflicted
with such feet are blamed for uncleanli-
ness and suffer all the modification Of
knowing that unpleasant odors are at
tributed 10 this cause. The effects OF
these exhalations from the feet are also
very destructive on all kinds of leather,
and the shoe dealer is blamed because
the leather in the best warranted shoes
is soon cracked and rotten. The dealer
cannot well tell the customer that it is
the feet that are to blame and not the
leather, and so he tries to explain or
sends the shoes back to the manufac-
turer. The odor, however, remains with
the feet. For ordinary sweating of the
feet frequent bathing will be all that is
necessary, but in most cases when there
is a particularly bad odor the cause will
be found IN microscopic organisms. and
the soles of the feet will have the ap-
pearance of being scaldcd. The trouble
is generally worse in cold than in warm
weather. When low cut shoes can be
worn with or without overgaiters, the
better opportunity for ventilation keeps
the feet in better condition. II is the
close fitting around the ankle of the
heavy leather worn in mems shoes, con-
fining the air and perspiration to the
shoe, that causes the trouble. Bathing
in alum water is sometimes beneficial,
but when the organisms have developed
a weak solution of carbolic acid will be
effectual in killing them. 1t is best to
apply the acid after thoroughly washing
the feet, and two per cent solution of
the acid mixed with glycerine will be ex-
cellent for this purpose. The feet
should also be rubbed with coarse
towel to restore the circulation Of the
blood to the surface of the skin and
bring il to natural, healthy condition
The rubbing treatment is very good of
itself without the acid, but it will gen.
orally be found advisable to add the lat
tern Y. Herald.
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