New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1925-10-23
Your Health
How to Keep It
Causes of Illness
by DIR, HUGH S. CUMMING
,,roaru. EenprnI United states

Ivy bH' NUN - W NJ Ml4Np
Surgeon General, United States
Public Health Service
How should you care for weak
feet? The persistence of the atti-
tude of abduction or turning out
ward OF the foot is the one char
actcristc symptom common 10 all
weak feet.
Certain symptoms begin 10 APP
pear when the arches are over
strained - pain IN the foot either
lust behind the toes or over the
instep or in the calves Of The legs
or elnn in the thighs, and some
times in The back. The pain il not
caused because the foot is Hat or
cvcrted or Improperly used. but il
caused by strain or Injury 10 the
muscles and the ligamrnts. 1t
comes on long before any deforuIty
of the foot IS noticed.
This pain is often falsely at
tributod TO rheumatism. 1t is usu-
ally accompanied by fatigue and A
diminished ability TO stand or
the person is off his feet. II such
symptoms appear, DO not go 10 a
shoe store TO have the feet treated
and do not buy ready-madc arch
supports hut consult An. nrtho-
pedic surgeon.
Any examination by a good
orthopedist is a thorough one aud
will definitely determine whether
: the feet are weak or not. lie will
! prescribe arch supports and spe-
! cial shoes The following exercises
for strengthening the arches are
/ prescribed;
Rise as high as possible OIL he
toes and, while on the toes turn
the heels outward and the inner
side Of the foot upward. then SLOW
ly come down again. Repeat % or
! 80 times.
Place the feet with the toes turn
I'd IN and stand on the outer Dor
der of the foot Then rise as high
US possible on the toes and slowly
sink down. turning the foot SO that
| tlG NtlSHt ltSlS Oh lHG OutCl DVE~
der. Repeat 20 or 80 times.
When sitting down, it is a good
habit to cross the feet (not the
lcgs). This brings the feet TO rest
on their outer border. Bicycling is
also q good exercise for the feet.
Skating Is Bad for the Feet
Skating. however, is very bad for
weak feet. In most cases the COR
rect arch support, the proper shoes
and suitable exercises will give re-
lief and sometimes effect a cure.
Then, II the feet are rot abused,
the arch supports may. in many
cases. be dispensed with.
There are certain common con-
ditions of the feet which some
times can be remeded by home
treatment. Cracks or abrasions be-
tween the toes should be carefully
cleansed with soap and water,
dried with absorbent cotton ana
covered with zinc ointment. Az
sorbcnt cotton should be used to
keep the raw surfaces apart,
| Excessive sweating Of the feet
may he treated by cleansing the
feet with soap and water and then
soaking them for Is minutes in a
! per cent asolution Of formaldc-
hyde.
Corns and calIouses can be re-
moved by the local applications.
but they should he prevented. II
one, insists against advice on cut
ting corns and cailouses care
should be taken to have the knife
or scissors sterile and to paint the
surface with tincture of iodine.
both before and after trimming. II
blood is accidcntly drawn, an anti-
septic dressing should be applied.
The pain Of inhamed hunions
can be relieved by rest and hot ap-
plicatlons, but the bunions them
selves require attention OF an
orthopedtc surgeon.
How to Correct Deformed Feet
Deformities OF the feet. such az
outward turned big toe and over
tapping, can, in many cases, be
appliances which can be bought
, in stores selling orthopedic sup
plies.
For Instance, there can be pur-
chased a splint which is attached
TO the inner side of the foot with
I strap and TO which is strapped
the big toe. This splint keeps the
toe in proper position. 1t can be
worn at night. and, If persisted in,
will sometimes straighten the alb
normality.
Small pads of cotton may be
placed between the toes at night
, 10 keep them apart. II large.
roomy shoes are worn. the splint
and the cotton, may be left in place
during the day.
Many systematic diseases first
, manifest themselves by symptoms
= in the feet.
Gout is one of these diseases and
shows itself in the foot by inflam-
nation of the joint of the big toe.
Diabetes is another of these dis
eases and 1t may first manifest it.
} self by liberation or gangrene OF
the toes
Arterio- sclerosis and narrowing
Of the caliber Of the arteries often
} first manifest themselves by circu-
: Iatory disturbances in the feet,
which result in liberation and gan
creme.