The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-09-11
The Care Of the Feet,

Discomfort of the feet is something
exceedingly annoying. To reach it
and allay it is easy and simple with
proper means. The time to apply help
full remedies-at nights usually the
time when we are wearied and longing
for sleep, and 80 we neglect the health
full, tonic treatment that prepares us
comfortably to take the steps that the
duties of the following day may de-
mand. Little pity for those whose
folly in wearing shoes too short or too
tight, for the sake of a pretty foot,
have brought upon themselves the in
evitable natural results. People of
sound sense will choose common
sense SHOE" and disdain to torture
themselves for size or two of differ
ence in their apparent foot. Such a
useful member, upon which we are all
so dependent, should surely be well
treated.
Prolonged use of the feet will weary
even the strongest. All the more i'm
portant is it, then, that they are well
cared for and comfortably clad. All
cannot favor themselves in this respect.
Visiting one of our city missions, not
long ago, a working-girl came to me
and asked in most pathetic manner
"what che could do for her aching
feet" She seemed discouraged; she
had no spare money. l must tell her of
something inexpensive, easy, and avail
able. So told her to put two large
spoonfuls of common salt in two quarts
of tepid water, and keep her tired feet
in it ten or fifteen minutes every night
before retiring, and she would soon
find great relief, even in 80 simple a
remedy. also told her to get from the
druggist five cents worth of neat's-foot
oil, and with little sponge or bit of
cloth apply it thoroughly to her shoes
every morning; for it softens the
leather, makes the shoes adapt them
selves to the feet, and makes them last
and wear very much longer. II is far
preferable to the best polish, and will
not injure even patent leather; it's use
is very satisfactory both for the shoes
and the feet. One can get rest and
ease from tired feet by frequent
changes, if she possess several pairs of
shoes; that is what working-girls can
seldom afford. Some remedy, attain
able, effectual, and inexpensive, was
what this poor girl needed-the salt
water evening bath as suggested. But
many one who does not work at all
has often aching feet. A foot-bath,
especially in warm weather, is very
grateful if little ammonia or bay rum,
or both, be added TO the water, instead
of salt.
Chilblains are disease that affects
the feet generally, sometimes the hands,
and even the ears and nose. They are
disorder of the skin, with some dis
turbance of the circulation. They are
supposed to be first caused by very sud-
den changes of local temperature, and
they usually first come on in the winter
months; but for long time thereafter
the sufferer is liable to attacks of the
most intolerable itching and burning.
quite as distressing as the original
trouble. To allay this, equal parts of
kerosene and turpentine mixed and
freely applied will give speedy relief.
Another remedy often used is the oil of
origanum, which is distilled from the
sweet herb marjoram of the garden.
A curious but very sure cure for chill
blains is said to be the wearing for one
night, on the bare feet, pair of rubber
overshoes.
For feet that are especially tender, a
bath of quart of warm water, in which
one large spoonful of carbolic acid is
stirred, will give the greatest relief
A delightful summer bath, where the
usual conveniences are not to be had,
can be enjoyed by using the following
preparation-one spoonful to basin OF
water: Put to one cup of sea-salt, to be
had OF any druggist, one-half ounce of
camphor and one-half ounce of ammo
mia, in quart bottle; fill the bottle
with hot water, and let it stand for
twenty-four hours; then, when ready
to battle, with sponge shake the mix
ture well, and add the amount to the
water. The ammonia cleanses, and the
camphor and sea-salt impart most
beneficial and refreshing effect. -Kath-
crime Armstrong, in The Outlook.