Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-04-16
GOLD FEET.
The Cause and Methods of Cure of This
Unpleasant Complaint.

UNPLEASANT Complaint.
There are many causes. general de-
rangement and weakness of the body
being among them. As the action of
the lungs, in breathing, is the great
source of the heat of the body, the
oxygen of the air combining with the
carbon of the food, actually being
burned. as certainly as wood is in the
stove, both alike producing heat. it is
plain that all causes which impede the
action of the lungs, just to that extent
must prevent the necessary warming of
the body. | need not say, perhaps,
that when the blood is not IN a proper
condition, not sufficiently warm. it
will not circulate with its usual activ-
ity. of course not being able to reach
the eXtremities, in consequence of
which they must remain cool or cold.
When. therefore, the chest is SO de-
formed, so crippled by corsets. or
otherwise, that the lungs can not be
filled with air, for the purpose of meet
ing the blood from the heart SO burn
ing the waste matters of the body as to
produce heat, it is certain that there
will be less than the natural produc-
ton of heat, the extremites first suffer-
ing Such a deformity of the chest
win affect the warmth of the whole
body. while tight and narrow bands,
worn so tightly just below the knee,
instead of above, far better place,
will more especially affect the feet,
since a proper supply of warm blood
from the heart is not allowed to reach
them. Any arrangement of the stom-
N, i,,n of ho of
proper food. any local, internal irrita-
ton. centralizing the blood. any cause
which determines it to the head, as
care. anxiety, excitement mental toll,
burning the midnight OIL" must
drive the blood from the surface and
the extremlties, producing GOODNESS of
the feet.
The cure consists mainly in improv-
ing the circulation of the blood, which
is 1.-the life" The rule to keep the
feet warm (by exercise) and the head
COOL (by temperance and abstemi-
ousness) is, in the highest degree, inn
portant. This is effected by correct
habits of living, by cleanliness, by fric-
ton of the surface. this being effect,l-
ally done by the daily use of the flesh
brush. Large and well-ftting boots,
the ease and comfort of all Of our gar
ments, etc, will favor the warmth of
the feet and the GOODNESS of the head.
beside promoting health in a general
way. In extreme cases. it is well to
soak to the feet at night in quite warm
water, to which little salt or mustard
may be added. to stimulate, this to be
followed by dash of cold water, W tn
thorough wiping with a coarse crash,
with the use of the fiesh-brush. In this
connection, l will say that those who
are accustomed to toast the feet in
the oven do so at their cost, each time
aggravating the difficulty.
The unwise custom of carving q
shot stone to bed'' is nearly related to
the former, in it's unfavorable effects,
since the feet should generally be made
to afford their own warmth. This is
done by exercise, as in brisk walking.
Or at night, rubbing the bottoms brisk
" on a rough mat. walking about the
room on the toes and front part of the
feet, thus bringing the blood to them.
with consequent warmth. instead of
tn hot brick or stone, the feeble and
aged may well have good and warm
flannel blanket bag made, large enough
to hold both feet. and long enoagh to
come above the knee, wearing this till
the feet are comfortable. There is
nothing artificial about this arrange
ment, nothing to increase the GOODNESS
of the feet.-I II. Ranaford, IN Golden
Rule.