Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-05-22
CARE OF rHE FEET.
xss DeveIee to . Fairly .Hs-.sl
Shape Ever when .DefOrHea
IA Proper sAoes.

and which consequently may rightly
be called beautiful, are scarcely to be
found except in ancient sculpture or
in infants. The modern foot clothing
made OF leather does not lend itself
easily to the free play of the muscles
and to the full Development of the
structure of the foot. Nevertheless,
feet may develop to fairly normal
shape if from infancy care is used In
the selection of shoes, says Youths
Companion
Most deformities of the feet are de-
veloped during childhood, while the
bones are soft, the ligaments less re-
sistant, and the muscles, together with
the other foot structures, are undergo
ing rapid changes in development.
Much attention has recently been
directed by the manufacturers of
shoes to the natural shape of the foot
before it has become deformed, as it
may be observed in infants, for exam
pie; SO that nearly every one may be
supposed to have become acquainted
with the fact that the inner side Of
the foot, including the great toe,
should exhibit nearly straight line,
while the outer edge should follow
strongly marked curve.
Even the best makers of shoes do not
make all their. shoes on this plan. The
dictates of fashion are more pow erful
than those of comfort; and besides,
shoes in most eases must be provided
for feet already deformed. Hence in
an article on the feet which would be
of practical use, it is necessary to state
that it does not suffice to apply to the
shoe dealer for a shoe of the natural
shape of the foot, with the belief that
one must necessarily be getting what
is asked for; nor is it altogether safe
even to trust the eye;when the shoe is
actually fitted before one. The plan
most likely to result in the selection
of natural-shaped shoe is 10 pencil the
outline of the child's bare foot as it is
held on a sheet of paper, to cut it out
and use it as model, to which shoe
sole, when it is laid on it, is found to
conform. Every reasonable shoe deal
er is sure to approve of such method,
and with the definite model at hand
will seek to furnish what is called for.
After a short experience one will OBJ
serve that the personal study of foot
covering will yield. valuable results in
insuring comfort and natural develop
ment of the growing foot.
The power Of the foot as a sustainer
of the weight Of the body is readily
understood. The heel, great toe and
outer side of the foot form the three
points of a tripod. An outward-crowd-
ed great toe decreases the utility of
the foot to just such degree as it is
forced from its normal position.
Flat foot is frequently seen in chill
dren, as result of effort made to have
them toe out gracefully. Toeing in is
often due to the unconscious effort tic
lessen the strain on the arch of the
foot, produced by badly formed shoes
Few children will toe in if they wear
properly shaped shoes. The exceptions
are those with weak foot-arches, fo1
whom the shoes should be made with
soles thicker on the inner than on the
outer edge. The weight is thus shifted
to the outer edge of the foot, and the
strain on the arch of the foot relieved.
This makes toeing out an easy; if not
an altogether natural, procedure.