The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-09-29

the extremity OF . walking appar.
atus that would hold out for any
length Of time. Over rough ground,
climbing ladders. walking tight
ropes, skating, dancing and even
playing rugby, the foot Ia subjected
to strains and torsions, and yet IL
reaGsumes its normal shape after all
Of these various apparent misplace
ments, and the human being IL able
Immediately to walk about after
being subjected to the most crucial
tests.
Many = normal arch found in
even the highest type Of civilization
becomes broken down, through
strain or stress in many instances:
no person with flat feet can have
perfectly normal spine; the ply
Biological curves OF the spine are
altered as the feet are flattened.
The seven tarsal bones in the
arch of the foot. as well as the
smaller bonee that go to make up
the toes, are so perfectly placed, in. a
foot that has q normal arch, that
no man could. from q mechanical
standpoint, plan an imitation Of the
foot and produce its various actions
In walking, dancing, skating, and 90
forth. It Is likewise true that no
physician, regardless Of his specialize
ing on the foot, has ever yet, and
| doubt If he ever viii, understand
the complete coordination Of the
nerve mechanism that controls the
numerous muscles that are attach
ed to the different bones in the
foot.
Al fiat foot almost invariably be
comes associated with poor circula-
ton: In fact, the majority Of people
with flat feet have not only cold
feet, but cold extremities also. The
loss of tone in the nerves through.
out the body follows, or - &C.
companied by the falling OF the
arches. This IL readily understood
by physicians who have paid any
attention to podiatrics; that Is.
diseases OF the foot.
There is nothing more beautiful
than a normally arched foot, and
nothing more Objectionable, in a
way. than real flat foot. We
Judge civilization by the normality
Of the arches of the feet.
No woman can have good nerves
flat-footed condition. Lowered vi.
tality will remain until the arches
are raised to normal. Occasionally
we see normal arches. Ninety per
cent Of the people have fallen
arches. It may be to a slight
degree. or 1t may be to an extreme
degree.
Now. what Significance has q
fallen arch In its relation to q
persons health?
There are seven bones in the
arch; two bones In the leg below the
knee. Strange to say, the wrist
has one more bone than the arch
Of the foot; but the bones beyond
the arch and the wrist are the
same in number-that Is, there
must be one long bone for each
toe and finger to make q root or
basis for the toe or finger, and to
which tendons ana muscles are
attached. Beyond that we have
smaller bones that. by joint move
ment. allow the fingers and toes
to curl UP.
Most people do not trim their toe
nails. They let them grow until the
nails are forced back to the extent
that they either curl under or have
ridges in them. due to excessive con-
cussion at each step taken, when
the toe-nail Ii forced against the toe
Of the shoe. Toe nails should AL
ways be kept closely trimmed, the
same as the finger nails Of 3 work.
ing man. The toes are continually
working; that 10, the majority OF
people are always using the feet. or
should use them.
A. great majority Of people have
deformed feet, brought about by
some tad, or negligence in early life
in having the feet improperly shod.
Many children are forced to wear
shoes that are bought on a ''bargain
counter" and selected because Of
their wearing quality instead Of their
adaptabilitv to the feet. Another
great mistake Is that too heavy
leather is often used in shoes. Be-
cause cowhide win wear longer than
calf or kangaroo, 1t IL selected FOR
children, and they are told to make
those shoes last lust so MANY
months. Likewise, the soles are
TOO heavy. There may come a
time when there will he a fad--a
ensibIe one, too-of wearing sandals,
or shoes with very, little top "a
hem. a reasonable sole, in weight,
= I'd the entire shoe made to weigh
= few ounces as possible and vet
'a serviceable and practicable. II
all depends on your vocation. In
walking on sidewalks, or on the