New-York tribune., 1909-07-11

pains. most grievous pains not only In the foot
but as far up as the back OF the neck These
pains are brought on, in fatfoot by undue walking
standing. There other signs of the disease.
We always know it," said a specialist in ortho-
pedic footwear to Tribune reporter, "by swell
ing of the flesh the base Of the ankle just where
the leg joins the foot. and by the way the veins
over the instep swell. Sometimes, II the patient
has been wearing low shoes and walking a good
deal foot and ankle puff out enormously. In a
ease / the other day the woman, who had
been tFamping about in pumps had foot ana
ankle the size OF two yet hers is an incpient case
and already yielding to treatment. Oh. yes. il
be cured you take il in time II the natural arch
on inner side of the foot. at the bottom re-
MAINS the arch is not really broken; though the
pain may be great. ths arch is merely relaxed and
can be restored by exercises and the proper foot
gear. In advanced cases the bottom OF the foot Is
perfectly fat, the arch all gone.
The foot is the poorest part of the anatomy
continued the expert and it ought to be the
strongest for it has the body TO bear II was
meant 10 be the strongest, but have tortured 1t
out of shape. Now. this Shoe made for peopla who
value their feet more than they do fashion, looks
TO you misshapen, because the inner line Is per
fectIy straight from the heel TO the point OF the
toe But look at your naked foot tonight and you
viii see that its inner line is perfectly straight
The shoemaker in obedience TO fashion, tapers the
shoe on sides from the ball of the foot TO the
toes and so the toes instead Of being allowed to
spread and give the body the support they are
meant to give are cramped up into bunch and
all the strain falls the arch. The heel Of the
shoe, instead Of being where it would support the
arched centre of foot is placed at the extreme
point OF the heel. French heels by the way, which
are so criticised, really not bad as the So
called common heels, because they are placed
further forward under the foot"
What about this fad of going barefoot? Some
health reformers advise nervous persons and tired
persons to discard shoes much as possible In
going about the house
Don't do it If you suspect the arch of the least
weakness, and don't soft, heeless slippers
either Wear something that supports the arch On
the seashore it's ali right to barefoot for there
the yielding sand gives a support"
The wearing of sneakers and tennis shoes, the
specialist said was fruitful cause of hatfoot.
Another style he reprobated that of the pumps
most women think pretty.
They are absolutely no good" he said. They
slip so at the heel that the toes keep uncon-
sciousiy elutching the sole of the pump TO keep
Il On and that's another strain the arch"
Then the expert described two exercises which
help to restore a fallen arch.
Just after getting out of bed in the morning.
and just before going he'd night he said
'stand with your bare feet about six inches apart
and so placed that the inner line of the foot is
straight from toe to heel First, resting the fingers
on the back OF chair TO balance yourself raise
yoursel: on your just far you can, TAX
ing care TO keep the head well back all the time
Do this fifteen times in succession Then, still
outside till you are standing the outer edges of
the soles and are quite bowlegged. Do this fifteen
times too II your feet cramp afterward. put them
under the cold water faucet. Cramp is one un-
pleasant symptom of fatfoot, but nothing is bet
ter to restore the OF the feet than cold water
baths"
The woman physician who spoke so seriously Of
natfeot was very hopeful about the possibility Of
its cure If it taken in time. ut isn't necessary
TO wear the shoes with the artificial arch always,
she said After the relaxed arch is restored, you
can alternate ordinary well made shoes with the
erthopedic shoes. After once having trouble of
this sort though IL is necessary always to be
ful."
The doctor advised foot baths for fallen arch-a
very hot bath. followed by a very cold one. these
TO be followed by a good rubbing with salt and
alcohol a serious Illness she said, or an opera
ton which neesssitated staying in bed for four or
FIVE weeks was very likely TO be succeeded by in
cpient aatfoet, il the patient got about TOO soen
the foot. like the whole body, being in q relaxed
condition then