The Mena weekly star., 1897-11-17
CARE OF HE FEET.
t1tr<rfions for Reducing Their Swoi-
 len Condition and Pain.

IL is a neVer-enulng source or wonder that so very few women understand the nraper care of the feet. They would be <hocked beyond words if told that their feet were entirely neglected, but such is the ease How very few women would xe1I perfectly at ease if they were sud de3,ly asked to remove their stockings. For cleanliness is not everything, and if the feet are neglected the nails get out of Shape and order, and the skin is not ax smooth and white as nature intended if Should be.
 Then, again, feet are tortured into footwear that are a size too small, that z fits in no particular, that presses on the flesh and causes corns, and, above all, fhat makes us limp and waddle like so many ducks. Why women will persist in wearing hideously high heels no per son in the world besides themselves could say. Not only does it throw the Whole weight of the body forward on to the toes, causing a very painful disor- | der, but it throws all the important in- tt<<rnal organs out of place and very terrible troubles and premature death are frequently the result. Besides which it is very ugly, and causes smile .to arise on seeing large lady tottering n Ia Chinese on tiny heels far too slender 10 bear her.
 People are much mistaken in think ing that high heels make the foot look smaller. As a matter of fact they make it look far larger, as it is compressed Into an ugly fat mass that swells our over the top of the slipper in anything but graceful manner.
 1& To put the foot in well-fitting shoe pf the size that properly belongs to it and to wear low heels is the best way zto preserve the foot in perfect health, And let me gently whisper that nothing sso soon brings redness to the tip of the nose as tight shoes.
 # If you have q long, narrow foot or a | fat one, you must have your shoes and & boots made expressly for you, as ready # made boots never take into cousidera- # tion anything out of the common as re- x gards the formation of the foot. If you < have a flat foot do not wear a too arched # instep; if your foot is very arched, see # that your shoe is made to it. If you wish the foot to appear srnaL by perfectly natural means, always E wear black kid or satin. 4 white shoe makes a foot look large and very wide and should never be worn except where the foot is faultless in shape and very small to look at. If the shoes are darker in color than the dress the feet will ap- pear to much more advantage. You should always have your shoes eased for you before wearing them, and be careful never to take long walks when wearing a new pair. Very grave trouble is often the result of walking in shoes that are stiff to the feet. I have known severe lameness to ensue, and very great pain is the inevitable result Ii you wish to preserve the proper shape of the foot, never walk about the house in loose old slippers. They may perhaps be comfortable, but they will entirely ruin the shape, and all elegance will be lost sight of if this untidy course is persisted in.
 1t seems superfiuous to say that the feet should be we'll washed twice day. Tepid water should be used, and the heels, toes and soles should be daily rubbed Mlth pumlce stone or pumice powder. This will entirely prevent all tliekening of the skin, which is so un- pleasant.
 The feet must not be soaked in the water but only kept in long enough to wash them. Too hot water and keeping the feet too long in it will make the skin very tender. and cause various troubles if you are at all delicate.
 To keep the flesh in good, healthy con- dition, rub little salt on the soles when still wet. This will not only strengthen them. but keep them from catching cold If lime flowers. tincture of benzoin or few drops of ammoniais is put in the water the feet are washed in, 1t will rest and soihe them very much. salt and water dashed over the feet will strengthen them.-Philadelp Times.