Imperial Valley press., 1924-10-03
PROPER SHOES AND
CORRECT METHODS
FOR WALKING
By MISS ORPHA A. MILLER
Horticultural Extension SerVicel

A desire for the general wearing
of health shoes in all farm families
is being developed. A health shoe
IS rot a corrective shoe. The latter
is worn to correct some specific de-
formity of the foot while the Former
is to prevent defornity.
The foot is made up of 26 small
bones bound together by ligaments
and muscles that help to hold them
in an arch, from toe to heel. The
weight of the body is carried on
the crown Of the arch. The points
of support Of the arch are three, the
heel behind and the balls of the
great and little toe in front. This
resembles a three-legged stool. If
one walks or stands squarely on
this stool, the support is firm, but
walk or stand ON the edge and it
VIII upset. So, if the foot is turned
outward. the weight of the body
fails on the inside of the foot, roll
ing the foot inward and causing flat
foot; but If the toes are turned a
little in, the weight of the body is
borne equally by all parts of the
foot Therefore, one must toe
straight rather than outward.
If the supports of the foot the
muscles and ligaments waste any or
stretch, the ends of the arch spread,
the iHstep flatens, the bones press
upon the sensitive nerves and cause
pain, while the natural springiness
OF the foot is impaired and walking
becomes less easy. One of three
conditions results-a weak foot, flat
foot without pain, or painful flat
foot
A weak foot is one in which the
tone of the muscles and hgaments
are more or less diminished, but the
arch shows little or no deformity.
The shape of such foot is good,
but after walking or standing there
is discomfort or even pain, which is.
relieved by resting or changing to
Il different shape of shoe. The con-
ditions is quite easily cured by ex-
ercise, correct walking and proper
shoes.
Proper Shoe Style
Flat foot without pain is condi-
ton in which the natural arch of
the instep has flattened without
causing pain. Painful flat-foot is
the combination of deformity with
pain.
The common causes of flat-foot
are improper shoes and faults in
| standing and walking. Barefoot
! people for the most part walk with
toes pointing forward or little in
ward. The foot muscles are strong
and springy and well delcvoped, and
the weight of the body is carried on
the strongest part of the foot--thc
outer side, which rests on the ground
for its whole length. Shoe-wearing
people toe out, and so throw their
weight on the inner, or weak side of
the foot. The stiff shoe does not
permit free play for the muscles
which become cramped, weak and
wasted. Pointed shoes crowd the
great toe against the other toes,
make the foot roll inward, and in
crease the tendency to flatfoot.
In mild cases of flat foot the foot
tires easily. Walking becomes diff
ficult and one favors the feet. Pain
dull and aching at first, sharp and
more severe latcr-felt through the
instep and into the center of the
foot is an early symptom. 1t comes
on after standing. 1t gradually
tends to become continuous and more
severe. 1t may be felt in the legs
and thighs and even in the back
without pain in the feet, and is very
often attributed to rheumatism. y
The pain may be only slight-just
feeling of weariness and desire to
drag the feet. Sometimes the pain be
comes dcadened after ono has walk
ed or stood for a time, and rcappears
after resting, due to the bones and
muscles trying to get back into their
normal position.
| Prevention Of flat foot is most
] important. 1t consists in exercis-
II. Conway, Elizabeth Embury and
| Allen Nuffcr.
The new year books, which were
/, distributed yesterday, created nj,
/ end of favorable comment by their
! practical size and artistic appear
ance. A complete list Of the va
rious committees and their CHAIR
men will appear in tomorrowfs is-
sue of the Press. 81 4eE4ks4t