Dress and care of the feet /

by John Lord Peck

Fig. 9.

“It is quite clear that the foot must get into the shoe; and if the shoe differs in shape from the foot, it is no less plain that the foot, being the more pliable, must necessarily adapt itself to the shape of the shoe. If, then, fashion prescribes an arbitrary form of shoe, she goes far beyond her province, and in reality arrogates to herself the right of determining the shape of the foot.

“But the foot is a part of the body, and must not be changed by fashion; for our body is a gift, and its several parts are beautifully adapted to the purposes for which they were intended.

“If, therefore, we in any way change its normal form, not only do we not improve, but we actually disfigure it.

“We do not, indeed at first sight, perceive the arrogant absurdity of which fashion is guilty in going so far as to determine the shape of our feet, because we are not alive to the fact that the case is peculiar to the feet. We only see it influencing the shape of the shoe, and come to the conclusion that it may regulate this, as well as the cut of the coat. To this prevalent opinion we yield, regardless of the influence on the shape of the shoe, and thereby on the foot. As well, indeed, might fashion one day come to the conclusion that fingers are inelegant, and decree that henceforth the hand be squeezed into a conical leather bag; as well, indeed, might she in one of her freaks, forbid the display of our arms, and bind them firmly to our bodies, like those of children in swaddling clothes.

“The shoe ought to protect the foot, but it has no right to distort its shape.”

Seeing, therefore, that the common form of boots and shoes, as now made, is not the true one, and that it arbitrarily forces the great toe into a false position, it follows that all the bad effects resulting from this false position are to be attributed directly to the incorrect form of the last and shoe. The first of these is a crowding together of all the toes, in which some are obliged to find their places under, and some above, the more ambitious of them sometimes pushing their nails through the upper leather, the rubbing and chafing they meet making them sore, while the more humble are glad to curl themselves down in any way that will give them a place of comfort. When the crowding is not so great as to force them out of place there is still a constant pressure against each other that is liable to create corns between them.

Another effect is the growing in, or to one side, of the nails. The boot-upper presses the flesh against the nail of the great toe on one side, while there is a similar pressure from the smaller toes on the opposite side, and between both, the nail is almost compelled to grow into the flesh, if it grows at all. If the great toe gets the advantage, then the one next to it is likely to suffer in the same way, and all of them are liable to the same trouble. When the nail grows so far that its edge turns downward, the pressure against the sole, in walking or standing, is a more aggravated discomfort. Dr. Meyer says that “by degrees it [the toe] gets into a state of chronic inflammation, and may eventually become ulcerated, producing what is popularly known as ‘proud flesh.’ The ailment not only interferes with the use of the foot, but too often requires, for its relief, medical, and even operative interference.” A surgical operation of this kind, which consists in removing the nail entirely, we are assured, by those who have seen it, is an intensely painful thing to witness, and cannot be less so to be borne. The following description of the nature of the trouble, and of the mode of treatment, is copied from Dr. R. T. Trall, for the benefit of those who may wish to treat it for themselves.

“Onyxis.—This distressing affliction consists in an incurvation of the toe-nail from a bruise or the pressure of a tight shoe, producing inflammation and ulceration, and followed eventually by fungous growths, or proud flesh, which is exceedingly tender and painful. The cure is slow but certain. The foot must be frequently soaked in warm water, until the soreness is so far abated that it can be handled without pain; then, with a probe, press pledgets of lint as firmly as can be borne under the most detached point of the nail, pressing them also between the nail and projecting portions of the flesh, as far as possible. Cover these with the wet compress, and apply a moderately tight bandage over the whole, frequently wetting the whole with warm, tepid, or cold water, as either temperature is most agreeable. The lints are to be pressed farther and farther under the nail, from time to time, and the foot should be soaked and dressed once or twice daily. When portions of the nail become free they may be cut off, and mild caustics may be employed to remove fungous or indurated growths, which do not yield to the other measures of treatment.”

A slim-toed shoe—one that is thin, and scant in the upper—whatever be its width or shape, has a bad influence upon the nails, not only by inciting them to grow in, but by turning them down at the ends, and keeping them constantly irritated and sore, a condition which effectually prevents the toes from being of any use. The seller of such an article will sometimes try to persuade the wearer that it is a “good fit” when snug at the forward part, however loose elsewhere; and many persons are quite willing to be persuaded in this way. But if they are wise they will not attempt to wear anything that is not perfectly easy to the toes, for these may be allowed all necessary room, and still, if the fit is “just right,” there will be no wrinkling, nor any other bad appearance.