The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-04-07

hANoNANAA2 Va kNAANA 80 sA'SNA 49,
only, and then only through
his column.
as we'll trained and competent in
their field and occupying a very
special and useful place.
The Council of the American
Medical Association says, "Chi-
ropody lisa department of the heal
ing service and not a cult and it
has its basis in scientific and
demonstrated knowledge and sat
isles a gap that general medicine
has failed to FILL"
The recognized college course
for podiatrist is now four years
of instruction.
Feet to the Fore
The fact is that most general
practitioners and most general
surgeons are not sufficiently in
terested in small foot troubles to
become skillful in their treatment.
We occasionally find an ortho-
pedic surgeon who is interested
and is competent, but few cities
are favored with men of this char
acter, so that mostly patients
have to depend upon the podia-
trists and it is pleasure to record
the fact that their confidence is
not misplaced.
There are some curious stories
told about foot ailments. The felt
hat industry originated from an
aching corn. According to the
story, Scotchman seeking relief
from painful toenail or corn, put
a wad of rabbit fur over his toe
to prevent any pressure on the
sore spot. The piece of fur, hav-
ing served its purpose, was re-
moved and a valuable principle
was discovered. Under constant
pressure, agitation and perspira-
ton from the foot, the fur had
matted together into a piece of
cloth Of peculiar texture and ex-
ceptional strength. There was a
well developed felt hat over the
top Of the corn, which gave rise
to the felt hat industry.
Good feet are important. A
government geologist, invited to
China with six months salary
deposited TO his credit and all ex-
penses guaranteed, had to turn
the proposition down because Of
bad feet.
The foot is more subject to in
lection than any other part of the
body, in spite of all the achieve
ments in the realm of bacteriol-
ogy. The shoe interferes with the
freedom and speed of the local
blood supply. Athletes foot" is
a name commonly applied to any
of the 25 or so varieties of ring
worm infection Of the feet. All
the varieties are related but they
differ often in their general ap-
pearance and response to treat
ment.
Unless in a horizontal position,
the healing time in the lower ex-
tremities is from four to ten times
more than that in other parts Of
the body.
As indicated by the Naval Re-
serve Corps, special attention is
given to the feet of enlisted men
in any branch of the service, and
a very large proportion of rejec-
tons is due to foot trouble alone.
In the last war, 10 per cent Of
men were rejected on account Of
foot trouble.
In places where inspection Is
carried out, it Is found a large
number Of junior high school chill
dren have some form Of trouble
peculiar to the foot. Many Of these
things, such as corns and ingrown
toenails, can be prevented.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
D. N.:-"Will you kindly tell
me what causes burning and itch
ing and drying Of the lips?"
Answer-Exposure 10 weather
In most cases. Dry rooms, cold
outdoors. Most Of US don't drink
enough water or have enough
moisture in our rooms in the
winter.