The Washington herald., 1916-12-03
EXPERT GIVES RULES
FOR CARE OF FEET
Declares that 95 Per Cent of the Peo-
pie Are Foot Sufferers.
~ ALFRED Joseph.

Professor Of Practical Chrcpody At the School Of
Chirvpody Of New Yort.
1t may seem surprising. yet never
theless II is q fact that s5 per cent of
the people are foot sufferers-that IL.
they suffer from one or more OF the
hfty recognized disorders OF the feet
1t has been discovered that fully so
per cent Of the school children are foot
sufferers. The primary cause Of most
foot troubles IL. OF course. ill-fitting
shoes. In fact, shoes are responsible
for a great many disorders which not
only manifest themselves on the foot.
but other parts of the anatomy are
also affected from the same cause
There are twenty-six bones in the
foot, all nicely adjusted in such q way
that their function of bearing the
weight Of the body in running. walk
ing. standing or jumping shall not dis
arrange any Of the delicate organs Of
the human anatomy. When a shoe
that is too tight is put upon the foot
and causes pressure at any point. the
result is that a bone may be slightly
pushed out OF alignment, and the skin
directly over the particular joint at
which the pressure exists becomes red
dened with congested blood and in q
short time a corn appears.
II at this stage the ill-htting shoe
were discarded and a properly fitting
shoe substituted. the corn would dis
appear and the foot would return to its
normal condition.
The Cause of BuliOns.
The next afflictIon which is responsible
for a great deal OF foot suffering is the
so-called bunion or enlarged joint Due
to the crowding OF the fot In a shoe
which 10 too narrow and too pointed. the
toes are showed aside or tapped over each
other. the joints become enlarged and dis
torted, and the result is an ugly looking
and exceedingly painful condition OF the
Joint, commonly known as bunion.
A condition OF this kind can be treated
painlessly by the chiropodist, who will,
by means OF shields and pads. protect the
enlarged joint from the pressure or fric-
tion OF the shoe. When the case is OF a
painful and pronounced nature. a surgical
operation should be performed. under gen
eral anesthesia, by a competent surgeon
experienced In that class OF work.
The next important foot trouble is that
known as fat-foot or weak foot. When
the arch OF the foot has ssgGed down,
causing the sufferer TO walk on the inner
border OF the foot, giving rise to pains In
the muscles OF the calves and thighs, q
condition which Stimulates rheumatism is
produced, and in fact is often mistaken
and treated FOR that olsoroer Dy even
physicians OF reputation.
Flat foot is due to too much or too lit
tie walking or standing. and generally
in this condition. the tone OF the muscle:
OF the calves OF the leg becomes impaired
This permits the arch to drop and aftei
q while the sufferer becomes accustomed
to walking on the inner borders Of the
feet. When the pain becomes intense
relief is sought and q pair OF arches arr
promptly placed in the shoe. regardless
Of whether they are necessary or not
and the result Is generally they make
matters worse. The proper way to treat
q case Of fat foot or fallen arch is &C
break up the adhesIons which are hold
ing the bones Of the foot in an abnor
NAL position. This can be accomplished
by strapping, massage and proper exer
cises. then. after the joints are agair
pliable, a cast OF the foot should b'
taken. and from this a pair OF stee
braces should be made. II correctly con
structed. these will hold the bones OF the
arch in their proper position. until. by eN'
ercises, the muscles OF the leg will agar
perform their normal function. thus re-
storing the longitudinal arch Of the foot
Another common foot trouble Is tina
known as metatarsalgia, caused by the