As the foot spreads at every step, the arch naturally flattens in the middle, but this is prevented when the sole is built up under it. It is self-evident that the foot is designed to tread on a flat surface, as its most natural function. Any attempt to make it tread constantly on a convex one is manifestly wrong. Yet, as said before, it may be of use to prevent a greater evil where people are determined to wear tight or narrow boots in spite of all reason or propriety.
It is also true that a slight hollow will exist under the ball of a well-arched foot, even when pressed upon by the weight of the body. This may be filled up if desired, for, being so small, it is a matter of indifference whether it is so or not, while there is perfect safety in letting it alone.
We see, then, that while one characteristic of the Plumer boot—the long heel—is a very valuable one, another—that of filling under the transverse arch—is useless, or positively injurious. The first, or good quality, however, overbalances the latter, and therefore the boot is an improvement upon the old or common style. The true and natural-shaped boot would have a flat or level surface from heel to toe on the sole, not wholly, but precisely where in this it is hollowed out. The parts on each side of the level strip would be slightly convex, like the corresponding parts of the foot; not too much so, however, for then the last would be too rounding on the bottom, taking the whole width in view, which is as bad a fault as the hollow, or even worse; as it interferes more with the spreading of the transverse arch, and, by making a concave upper surface to the insole of the shoe, compels the ball to tread into just such a hollow as would fit a broken-down, splay foot. The natural inference is that such a shoe would tend to favour the production of just such a foot.
It is believed that the broken-down transverse arch will almost always be found accompanied by the broken-down arch of the instep. Though the latter may exist without the former, yet we suspect that the two incline to go together—that the sinking of the greater arch tends to carry down the other along with it, while a natural weakness of muscle would be a predisposing condition. If there are other causes they are not yet known. The last supposition being correct, then the most direct way to a cure would be to restore the arch of the instep to its proper shape and position; which would probably have the same tendency to raise the other, that its depression had to break it down. The grand recipe for this, as already given, is the long heel; which can be made upon any kind of covering, whatever its peculiarities. The use of the muscles of the toes must also come in as an auxiliary help not to be underrated.
Still another remedial measure is the “righting up” of the foot. Many, if not most, of the feet that have broken-down arches also tread over inward along the whole side. In such cases the weight of the body, as already stated, falls upon the arch in a wrong direction. The arch, instead of standing upright and receiving the weight directly over itself, supports the body while itself leaning over to one side. Any other kind of arch, in a similar condition, would quickly fall over or settle down; and it is no wonder the foot settles down to a level in the shank. Weak muscles in the ankle and foot of a child will allow the foot to take a one-sided tendency, and it is not impossible the child may inherit something of this weakness from a weak-footed parent, and thus the infirmity be perpetuated. But with the fault existing, however produced, the foot cannot get strong till the arch is restored to its natural perpendicularity. The best manner of righting it up will be described in a chapter farther on. The uprightness will give the muscles a better chance to grow strong, while these assist the operation of the long heel; and possibly it will prove not inferior to either of them in promoting the desired result.
We are sorry that facts from practical effort cannot be given to show a realized success in this direction. But in truth we doubt that an earnest and systematic attempt was ever made to raise up a broken-down foot. All that can be said is that the methods recommended must necessarily tend toward the restoration of the arch. But this alone ought to furnish assurance of success, and encourage an archless-footed person to combine those methods, and give them a faithful trial.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] This paragraph is from Mr. J. L. Watkins, a boot and shoe manufacturer of New York city, who has attempted to carry into practice the idea of Prof. Meyer.
CHAPTER VI.
Natural Character of the Instep—Causes, and Prevention, of Sores upon it—False Taste—Callosities of the Heel—Counters—Criticism of Lasts.