New-York tribune., 1901-06-18
THE SANDAL CRAZE.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF AL
MOST BARE FEET FOR CHILDREN.

The recent adoption by number Of well known
1ordo, society people OF what Is known as the
barefoot fad for their children is forming inc
.,,ht.,t ~ much comment in many quarters. and
the fact induced a representative OF The Lohuoh
I,xnress'' 10 seek interviews on the innovation
81 ~, glad N see we'll dressed children occasion
.uy walking about our fashionable squares bare
legged and bare footed save for slight sandal
said n well known West End physician when ques-
toned on the subject.
Wv ,,aonle secrn TO he aware what influence
the feet have on the health OF people and Of chill
dren especially.
Look AT the thing from the sanitary point OF
,,,ayv younr people are never still. should not
be II they are healthy; and in this hot weather
and the hotter Will be coming. the feet VIII be
the part Of the anatomy most likely TO be affected.
SANITARY ADVANTAGES.
NOV, with sandals the feet never in n damp
state but constantly kept dry, OWING 10 tne
action Of the atmosphere. Thus lameness from
tenderness and other causes is avoided TO say
nothing Of rheumatism. for you must know tha'
With the ordinary boot and stocking II is prac-
ticav Impossible for the perspiraton Issuing from
the pores Of the skin 10 evaporate. but, on the
contrary the ankle and foot are kept in more OF
less constant state Of dampness during action IN
hot weather with the result that rheumatism Is
often contracted. and badly that even strong
embrocations seem poweress TO relieve II.
after ALL we have never improved on the Greek
and Roman footgear. though ! am not such a
dreamer of dreams as suppose for moment
that our fashionable women will ever become sensi-
BILE enough take to sandals even for the seaside
They are too vain and their feet are as a rule.
not pretty enough TO bear exposure. Besides. even
if they were so inclined bootmakers and The
hosiers would hardly encourage them in their Ideas
as it would bode i'll TO their prosperity
BENEFITS WHICH MAY COME
oRut do firmly believe that the fashion OF let
ting children run about in sandals during the sum-
mer months now that 1t has last got start.
ring in yayn until he
comes quite general and am heartily glad to
think of it, If the feet of our children are al
lowed to develop in natural and sensible way we
shall have more and women who can walk
gracefully and well instead of the crippled beings
one comes across almost at every turn-people who
walk timdiy along owing TO corns, bunions or ten
der feet. which I'm nine cases out Of ten. the
result OF clumsy Ill hitting or tight boots
you probabI do not realize that scarcely per
rent of the people YOU pass in the street have per
feet feet ! assure you there is scarcely more
defective part of the average civilized human be
ing's anatomy than the feet l. for one. look upon
this barefoot fad as Is termed pregnant of
great possibilities. far as the future generations
are concerned and trust that It will continue to
grow in favor"
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION.
Another physician who interviewed. how
ever took anopposite view of the question.
II will not utterly condemn the idea" he said
but l would at least point out that the notion
has its drawbacks well its advantages. You
must bear in mind that the foot of the well bred
child is a very tender thing, and amount of
running wild will make the cuticle hard
as that OF a savage child, for instance.
Il think. therefore, that the risks of getting
dirt which may be poisonous into scratches the
feet owing their being partially exposed the
danger of getting pins pin tacks into the feet
for there is house in the kingdom where stray
pins pin tacks will not get scattered among the
carpets-are greater than the thing is worth, for
poisoned blood is thing which be prop
crly cured.
Besides. what is the good OF 1t in the long run,
for sooner later these sandaed children will
take 10 wearing the ordinary footgear Of conven-
tionalty when the i'll effects If any will be eX-
aggerated for they will begin wearing boots and
socks stockings al an when II is not easy
the body TO adopt methods of clothing,
especially account of their having known
the greater freedom OF sandals
THAT only phase OF the question. but
there others that could be mentioned. and.
the whole ! do not think the sandal idea will be
productive OF much good, while 1t might be fruit
full of some harm"