The New York herald., 1921-05-15
NJ en- Amenable to Reason
While Women Bow to Fashion

Dr. Fisk said that the foot conscience of
the men of the country was aroused by the
discoveries of bad conditions made in con-
nection with the draft. but that with women
little could be done except to leave them to
the will of those mysterious agencies which
govern fashions.
1T is useless" he continued, "or almost SO,
to take up the matter of reform for womens
shoes with the manufacturers. for the
makers are not Interested in shoe styles
unless they feel sure that the goods will sell.
1t Is easy enough to design the ideal shoe,
but very difficult to sell 1t to women. I'm
doubtedly there may be extremes in low
heels which will be just as harmful as tho
high forms. Some makers have devised
" hat is called compromise shoe, which, an
its name implies, combines some of the com
mon sense features with form which is
attractive to the eye. With the proper kind
of shoe there need be no fallen arches and
CONSTRUCTED toes.
IL do not believe In metal supports and
other corrective devices for fallen arches or
TO offset shoe faults. unless they are pre-
scribed by an orthopedist of standing, for
many of the devices really tend to injure the
feet all the more and to make them de-
pendent upon artificial means. just as much
as though they were in spints."
The tendency these days is to correct the
sins of the feet by seeking types of shoes
which give the toes a chance to move and
prevent the formation of enlarged first toe
joints and the accumulation of corns and
bunions.
lone Of the great abuses of the present
day" said DR.. Fisk, lis the treatment of
corns and bunions by so-caled chiropodists.
who merely cut off the callous places and
apply caustic liquids to them The only
path to foot welfare lies in the direction of
shoes which are formed so as 10 correct the
conditions. II Is quite possible to have
shoes with rounded toes, so that the toes
within them will not be under pressure
which benumbs them and forces them into
positions which painful and which
spread trouble to many parts OF the human
anatomy"
The suggestion is made in the institutes
book. How TO Live" that the Government
take a hand In footgear reform.
why should it not be entirely reason
able" the authors inquire, Ito place the
following label on all ordinary, conventional
shoes2
This snoe Is not made In accordance with
anatomical principles, but In accordance
with popular demand and fashionable Gus
toms. The purchaser wears this shoe at his
own risk. The manufacturers do not guar
antee that II will not harm and distort the
foot"
When the man or woman has acquired
something OF the saving grace of wearing
at least compromise shoe he or she may
proceed to take exercises calculated to pre-
vent or correct fat foot and similar troubles
The exercise most highly regarded in the
army. which has been used with much sue
cess, is as follows:
stand with feet parallel and somewhat
apart. with great toes firmly gripping the
ground. Without bending the knees or ro-
tating the feet bend the thighs out re-
peatedly This Is chiefly done by strong
contraction Of the great muscles Of the
thigh and seat.
Other helpful exercises are:
l. stand with the BAH or the foot on the
so that the toes may be freely bent down
ward. Bend the toes up and down over this
edge thirty times twice daily
2 While standing on a fiat surface lift the
toes thirty times
3 Separate the toes thirty times by use
of the foot and toe muscles This may re
quire some assistance with the hands until
the trick is acquired
4 stand with the back 10 the wall heels
on the ground and against the wall. Raise
the front Of the foot far as possible thirty
times.
s. Rest on the outer margins Of the feet
curl the toes inward and backward under
the feet as far as possible thirty times.
In addition 10 these exercises the habit
~ tocne straight forward when standing or
wglking should be acquired.