"LET US TAKE THE ROAD."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19550, 1 February 1927, Page 7

"LET US TAKE THE ROAD."

Now that the pnteUco;-oi going on long walking tours -is' growirt^jstcadjly■* in popularity it would appear: ttseful to sider how the foot of tlio would-be "hiker ' may best be havdenc-d against tho rigours of the road, and how the commoner jlpot ailmejjts may be treated and, better jtili, prevented. ><§ «U.-| The prevention of foot strain ami- of blisters isUarjjely a matter of the proper selection of -stockings and shoes. ■ fcdk hoso form no part of tho The stockings must be of light-weight wool, and the fitting should be perfect, that is to say, neither tight enough to cramp tho toes or Tofisb enough to form rucks under which blisters may develop. The shoes., though sensible, need not bo anaesthetic. A stout solo, low heel, a broad toe-cap with about half an inch clearance in front of the toes, and an absence, when tho shoo is on the foot, either of a feeling- of tense bulging or of Iqoso leather, are the, essentials jqf a good marching sh6e. '' And such a ishoe must be broken in, not just before the tramping holiday,* but weeks ahead. Oiling to soften- tho leather and niaka it waterproof is useful, but must not be tarried to excess.-'^' ' •*' It is while the shoes are being broken in that one discovers one's own 'i pressure points"—that is to say, tho points that will prove most vulnerable to blisters in tlio Course of tho long day's march if special .precautions are not taken. The best measures-to adopt* to harden the feet are to bathef them in a 10 per cent, solution of formaldehyde every other day for a fortnight before tho proposed walking tour, and lb bathe them regularly in cool water, avoiding, however, too much soaking, which only softens and weakens the skin.' Pressure points may b& protected first by, dabbing 011 a little iouino iifid then by covering "them with a little lint held in place .with adhesive plaster. .If ii break %l§os occiifc «n iodine dossing 'and pad must be pqjfc on at once. To treat blisters, first dab iodine over them,, then prick them at tho lowest point with a needle that has been reddened in a ;flame. On no account remove tho blistet-skin, but let the matter run out; and .finally put on an ioclino dressing* as; explained above. ;*•