OUR BABIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17180, 25 October 1923, Page 9

OUR BABIES.

(BY HYGEIA.) mfclisiiea unaos t£o auspicas of th.o Soya? STow EsalsaO. Society for til a JX-ialtli of VTcaut unfl Ciiildren.. “ It Is wiser to put up » I’er.co at tli© top of a precipice tli.an to m.-ilw-tain an ambulance at tii© bottom.” CARE OF THE FEET. “There are hardly any amongst ns who are not impeded by tho possession of some abnormality of the feet. Out more -or less painful impediments arc largely the result of our careless footgear, of cur false idea of beauty in . siioe, and of the difficulty in changing Janie Fashion/’ These statement: were made by Dr D. T. M. Stout at the Town Hall, Wellington, during Health Week, in a lecture upon “ Care of the Feet.” “From the standpoint of the work of the community.” he said, I cannot think what could bt of more- importance than the possession of perfectly comfortable and strong l'eet by its members.'* After describing the intricate construction of the foot, ho stated that boots were made so as to- force the big toe across to,the others and hold it there : this prevented its assumption ol the position of activity and stead dv crippled the power of tho foot. The other toes were cramped together and prevented from working properly sc weakening the transverse arch, Bullion*; were produced by pressure o& the big toe, and often on the upper surface of the other toes. Hammer toes were produced by the forcing oi the second toe upwards by the displaced big toe. Callouses were produced on the sole underneath the ball of the foot- due to the forcing of thf loot upward by high heels and the weakening of the transverse arch by interference with the functions of th* small toes. Flat foot was produce-: by the crippling of the muscles supporting the arch by their inability tc perform their normal functions. Prolonged standing threw excessive strain on tire feet, which would be combated by rising on the heels occasionally and resting on the outer side of the foot. After any inflammation or injury tc the feet and after recent illness, the foot should be protected from excessive strain. Socks should be made with p straight- inner border, so as not tc cramp the toes. Boots should have a straight inner border, plenty or room for the big toe and across the other toes ; fit firmly and snugly around thf sides and heel to prevent sliding oi the foot inside its shoes. “ Wo must not continue,” said Di Stout. “ to treat our boots as avtides of supposed beauty. High heels lead to excessive strain on the foot, and especially the forcing forward of the weight on to the ball of the loot, which is not- built to support it. The muscular activity of the foot must he developed by any form of exercise, but not during a stage of foot fatigue. We must walk pigeon-toed not only with our toes turned out. Foot bathing and massage is beneficial to the tired foot. W© must see to it that the children are given natural footwear, and given free movement of the feet. They must be taught to wal h •straight. If any tendency to weakness exists it must be corrected at once.’*