It has long been believed that the majority of the troubles occurring, in the feet are the evil results the use of heels, and more particularly high heels)
But Dr. W. H.-Trethowan, an orthopedic specialist, lecturing at the London institute of Hygiene, described that opinion as fallacious.
"The anatomy and movements ut the foot," he said, fully show that the strain on the long arch must lessen in proportion as the heel is raised, and this is the experience of the vast majority of women; in spite of medical advice to the contrary.
"The most important measure in giving relief in causes of weak or overstrained feet is to raise the height of the heels, and not to lower it, as is nearly always advised."
Quarter-To-Six" Pose.
The height of the heel for remedial purposes, Dr. Trethowan recommends, should not exceed 2} inches, and in house shoes should not be less than 1} inches.
The height, however, should do more than afford relief. In cases of overstrained feet' slippers must be avoided. Heels not less than one and a quarter or one and a half inches in height were suitable for. general use in healthy feet.
Dr. Trethowan condemned the custom of teaching children to walk with their toes turned out: He believed that one of the biggest mistakes in physical training was to instruct pupils to stand with their feet at an angle of 45 degrees, or. the quarter to six attitude, as it is popularly called. There could be no harm in toeing-in when walking or standing. The savage turned his feet in, and the anatomy of the foot showed that that is what should be done. A person standing) should have his feet turned in, and when walking the foot should be in the position of "3 minutes to 12."
Other interesting points from the lecture were A shoe should be quite three sizes larger than the size of the foot, i.e., if you have a three foot you ought to wear a six shoe.
How ro Cxoose Snors.
Ball-room dancing and Grecian dancing are beneficial; but fancy dancing and ballet dancing are downright injurious to the fect.
The majority of people habitually wear shoes which are too narrow across the toes and the balls of the toes.
In. selecting shoes, important. points are: The length, breadth of the soles, the pointing inwards of the toes portion' or straight inner border, and the roominess of the toe portion of the upper.
The best exercise for flat or weak feet is correct. walking, in which the feet should be kept parallel, and not pointed outwards.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.