Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-04
WOMEN'S SHOES.
Many Good Hints ns to the Care of
the Feet.

Many Good Hints nv to the Care of
the Feet.
From Harper's Bazaar,
If there is one thing more important than
another to which woman's attention should
be called, it Is the necessity of taking care
of her shoes. The sympathy which exists
between the foot and the throat Is prob
ably more marked than between any other
two members of the body, and nothing OBJ
viates the possibility of throat diseases and
vocal inconvenience SO much as keeping
the feet well shod and perfectly dry.
Proportionately it is not one of the great
extravagances of the wardrobe, but we de-
mand of one pair of shoes at least double
the service we ask of a dress, a skirt or
other garment. Were we to resolutely sup
ply ourselves in the beginning of each sea-
son with an adequate number and variety
of shoes, the purse, as well as the body,
would ultimately be the gamer.
We wear one pair too steadily. We would
look upon 1t as dangerous to our health to
wear any other garment q proportioEate
length Of time. From an economical stand
point, 1t is more profitable to keep six or
seven pairs of street shoes in wear. using
them in regular turn. Immediately after a
walk the shoes should be removed and
placed il, an airy spot (not in a dark, I'M
ventilated closeD to dry. and a cool, fresh
pair put on.
Notwithstanding the hard. firm. almost
impervious character Of the finished out
side of the leathern footwear, 1t should be
remembered that the rough inside is more
or less absorbent. The healthy foot should
perspire as freely as does the rest of the
body: and since we cover 1t with leather
instead of with the light and easily cleans
ed fabrics employed for the person general
ly, We should at least see to 1t that as
many changes are provided for it as for
the freer portions of the body.
Were this done the leather would have
the same opportunity for publication and
drying out by thorough airing as have
other garments, the heavy texture of which
prevents them from knowing the cleansing
medium of soap ard water.
The feet are surely plant members when
they can endure the variformed shoes that
from time to time compel them into new
habits with each new pair put on: yet they
rarely rebel or give real trouble unless bar
barously neglected. Corns and bunions are
more often the result of wearing old shoes
tran In wrong selection of new ones. A
constant change of footgear INJURIES the foot
to variety, and even those who confine
themselves wholly to the ready-made arti-
Gle need suffer no i'll effects IL they will
keep their shoe supply as carefully replen-
ished as is the rest of the wardrobe
1t is one of the most fallacious of prac-
tees to attempt to economic by wearing
old shoes about the house, unless they pos
sess all their buttons. have straight heels
and soles and are daily brushed and aired
as are their newer fellows. Only In this
way may the ankles be continually braced
into straightness and the toes allowed to
move gently in an almost straight direc-
ton. When the foot is thrown out of bal
ance by worn-down heels. the toes, at
tempting to retain level position, perform
prehepsile feats which resemble the ac-
ton Of the forebears some scientists have
ascribed to us.
When shoes are removed they should be
set away to dry, and not until the drying
is complete should any brushing be done or
dressing applied. The shape of footgear
would be better preserved did we follow
the English and French custom Of stretch
ing them upon boot tree when not in use.
In spite Of the beautiful luster OF the ex-
pensiye liquid dressings, 1t is generally