Thus, modifying, or adding to, the form of sole given by Dr. Meyer, we present it as the most perfect one we are now able to suggest, and one the correctness of which is confirmed by all the facts of anatomy, and by everything bearing upon the subject.
As to what is theoretically right, then, we not only indorse all that is urged by the author quoted, but go farther, and claim for little toes, as well as great ones, the right to grow as straight as nature intended them, and to spread as freely as circumstances may require. There is a point, however—one of practice, not theory—upon which we may perhaps be said to partially disagree, and which will be explained farther on. It is designed now to show some of the bad results of a failure to conform the shape of the boot or shoe to that of the foot; and afterward to consider what can be done in the way of improvement.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] It is also true that many artists have been led to a mistake by observation of the adult foot, which has been more or less deformed by its coverings. In many works of art there is a larger joint than natural, and the great toe is turned aside sufficiently to bring all the toes close together, though not enough to be a positive distortion.
CHAPTER III.
Distortion of the Toes and Joint—Various Causes—Want of Harmony between Shape of Foot and Shape of Shoe—Grown-in Nails—Influence of Stockings, Narrow-Toed Soles, High Heels, and Changing of Shoes—Faults of Lasts.
The doctrine concerning the shape and position of the toes is considered to be made sufficiently clear by what has been already advanced. As the best illustration of it, we copy from Dr. Meyer’s book a cut of the natural, healthy foot of a child (Fig. 8), in which the line of the great toe, continued backward, passes under the middle of the heel. By the side of this is placed a shoe-sole of the common form (Fig. 9), and which plainly does not harmonize with the shape of the foot. From the ball forward instead of being straight on the inside line, it slants off obliquely toward the middle of the toe, making as great an inclination or curve on that side as on the outside. As the toes of the foot cannot force the upper of a boot over the sole to any great extent, the form of the sole determines the shape in which the toes shall lie when they are inside the boot. The line c d, in the diagram, shows where the great toe ought to be; but, far from being there, it is turned aside into the line c e, a position entirely unnatural. We will here quote again from the book, taking the liberty to italicize:
Fig. 8.
