The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-08-12

DR.. Clendening will answer
questions of general interest
only, and then only through
his column.
simply weight bearing. The foot, of
course, is subject to all the dis
eases any part Of similar struc-
ture has-tumors Of the skin, ten
dons and bones.
The blood vessels of the feet are
especially likely to 60 bad. Infec-
tions are rare because of the usual
protection of the foot. But to have
to bear up the weight of hundred
to two hundred pounds mass of
flesh on a delicate arch spanned by
thin bones, tendons and muscles
that is what causes its most fire.
quent trouble.
The number Of people who have
painful feet is unknown to statis-
ticians, but it must 60 into astro-
nomcal figures. We get some hints
from military medical reports-in
one group 10000 out of 100000
draftees were disqualified for gem
eral military service because of
feet: 81 900 were qualified for linn
tied military service and 5000
were absolutely rejected.
Strain on Feet
OF course as soon as anyone not
ised to it goes up against the
marching and standing of military
service, the strain on the foot arch
is bound to cause grief. Thus at
Camp Van Dorm there were 332
out of a group of 10000 selectees
who had to consult the orthopedic
surgeon on account of painful feet.
Most of these were fiat feet, but
about 1850 were due to Morton's
metatarsalgia, caused by an ana
tomical variation Of shortening of
the big toe bone in the foot. 1t is
easily relieved by compensating
insole. Flat foot is also usually
readily improved by foot exercises
and other orthopedic measures.
Corns and calluses are also SIM
ply expressions of poor weight
bearing or poor foot gear-quite
as often due to too big as too tight
shoes. Corns are due to pressure
or rubbing and too big a shoe will
rub a corn into existence as readily
as too tight a shoe will press one.
Socks and stockings are also
cause of corns. A thin cotton or
silk sock gives the skin of the foot
no protection against the pressure
of the shoes, as does a heavy or
wooden stocking, which latter also
keeps the temperature of the foot
. even.
A corn is somewhat different
from a callus, which latter is
flaky, horny thickening of the
skin. A corn has a central conical
mass with the sharp end pointing
inward and will not be entirely
cured until that center is removed.
For permanent relief of a corn,
especially recurrent corns, proper
muscle balance of the foot must
be restored and this is done largely
by exercises, plus properly de-
signed shoes.
Removing Pressure
For most cases of corns, con-
servative measures, such as par
ing, protecting by shields and corn
plasters containing. salicylic acid
which soften the horny tissue end,
and, Of course, relief of pressure,
are preferred. / am in receipt of
Goldie Dolfuss' corn remedy which
is to put a well-chewed wad Of
chewing gum over the corn. That
and Aunt Delma's method OF put
ting a plain pearl button in lemon
juice until it becomes soft and
pasty and strapping it over the
corn are, as far as can see, just
methods Of protection against rub
bing.
Regular exercises are almost a
necessity for those with weak feet
who have to stand or walk good
part Of the "a hours. They should
be done morning and evening.
Nine. Helena Rubinstein writes
that the way TO get the most out
Of reading is while you are sitting
with a good book TO turn and twist
the ankles around as on a pivot.
don't know that | agree that this
is the way 10 get the most out Of
all reading. ! prefer to devote my
attention exclusively either to
Plato or foot exercises.
The best foot exercises can be
done with the help of bathroom
towel. Lying on the back, holding
one end Of the towel in each hand,
put the foot in the center of the
towel and push hard against it,
pulling the towel TO right and left
alternately.
DIES OF INJURIES