HEALTH NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1423, 8 June 1899, Page 14

HEALTH NOTES.

CARE OF THE FEET. In spite of the advance in hygienic knowledge, it is astonishing, says Mrs Gerald Clayton in ‘’Woman,” if we look round the circle to which we belong, to find how few girls are able to walk ten to twenty* miles a day without suffering some discomfort. Is it not due to neglect in the care of the feet, rather than to physical inability? Each member of our body requires daily ateution ; if it does not receive it, it will not be in the fit condition to do work that it could otherwise perform with ease. Stockings and shoes should be of a size that the one will not wrinkle, noi the other pinch; and do not have less than three pairs of boots or shoes in use at the same time, if you wish to be economical. The boots for the daily constitutional should be stout and strong, yet comfortable, with the heels moderately flat. Immediately after coming in from any walk, let the trees be put in the pair of shoes last worn, especially if they are at all damp, for then they will dry a good shape, and will wear longer, while keeping a beter appearance. A woman’s foot will generally give us an insight to lier character. When we see one slender and elegant, neatly* shoe in boots of which the heels are quite level, and not trodden clown on one side, vve are not far wrong in conjecting that the owner is woman particular over de tails and refined in taste. There are women in the world who have won tlieii husbands through the daintiness of theii feet. This fact should put hope in her who grieves over the plainness of hci face.-

The feet should be washed every day*, preferably* in the morning. To put the stocking on a foot moist and warm from the heat of the bed i 3 unhealthy*, and may give rise to tender feet. ‘ Some people suffer constitutionally from tender feet; to strengthen them, the feet should he daily soaked in alum and water, which will tend to harden the skin. They- ' should also be most carefully wiped, for if not made carefully* dry* between the toes, a soreness will arise that may* become very painful. If this should occur, at once apply a good carbolic ointment, and .put a small piece of cotonwool over the place to prevent the stocking from irritating the sore. A simple cure for corns (only* try prevention first by wearing shoes that fit perfectly) is to hind a freshly-gathered, shiny ivy-leaf round the afflicted toe. In twelve hours the corn will he softened, and able to he removed easily and painlessly.

Enlarged toe-joints are almost impossible to cure; hut to releive the pain put a bread poultice on each night till it is , easier; and. in .the day wrap a bandage round that has been soaked in cold water with a few drops of tincture of arnica. When the pain is gone, paint the joint twice a week with iodine..

The nails of the toes must be always carefully tended, and cut straight across (not rounded) twice a week. To allow a

nail to grow too long and get pressed into the flesh will cause pain and trouble that may take weeks to overcome.