CARE OF THE FEET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 6 (Supplement)

CARE OF THE FEET.

Wo work our feet so much harder than our faces, yet just because they aro not exposed to the public gaze in their naked state, we aro inclined to neglect them! To beautify your feet keep two main points in mind; exercise and covering. Judicious exercises j>ut tho feet in fine condition, andx proper footwear keeps them so. Hero aro one or two exercises that are designed to bring into play all the muscles and tendons that hold in place the twenty-six tiny bones in every foot. If thoso muscles aro flabby they must fail to fulfil the work expected of them. Hence the arrival of flat feet, bunions, puffy ankles, corns, and other foot-evils. Sit on a chair, wearing tho lightest and most comfortable kit you possess; a swimming suit is ideal. Start wiggling tho toes vigorously backwards and forwards, with your legs stretched straight in front of you'; keep it up till legs and feet start aching. Afterwards, turn each foot in a circle, from the anklo, moving them outwards and downwards, and pointing tho toes firmly. This develops the instep. Then cross your legs; hold tho toes of the loft foot with tho right hand, and start moving them slowly up and down, repeating the movement ten times, and changing feet and hands halfway through. Next, stand with both hands on your hips; rise on your toes, and walk on your toes eight times up and down a 100111 of medium size. Take small steps, and keep the knees stretched straight back all tho time. Then repeat tho exercise, walking 011 the heels, with tho toes kept stiffly in the air. Apart from exercises and careful choice of footwear, there are other ways ol improving tho feet. When they are tired, after much walking or standing about, bathe them in hot salt water. Put somo ordinary kitchen salt into a small bath or basin, filled with hot water. Sit with your feet in it, as hot, as you can bear it, for fifteen minutes, with a thick bath towel wrapped round the basin and your legs., up to tho knees, to keep the steam in. ' Your tiredness will be gone after this treatment, and you will feel -ready to dance all night'.—having first rubbed the soles of your feet with half a Jemoh, after drying them. This treatment is splendid, too, for feet inclined to swell after standing a long time.