Chapter I: Preface

The object of this little treatise is to bring before the popular attention some ideas concerning the feet that are not generally familiar; to exhibit the producing causes of the common deformities and discomforts to which they are subject; to show the best means of preserving their natural shape and condition, or of restoring it as far as possible when lost; and to suggest better methods for their dress and general treatment, in order to their more perfect health, beauty, and performance of function.

The subject has already received some little attention. Some time about the beginning of the present century Dr. Peter Camper, of Amsterdam—a distinguished man of his time—wrote a short dissertation upon the “Best Form of Shoe,” which was eventually translated and published in England in 1861, in connection with a larger work by Mr. James Dowie. Dr. Camper’s essay was excellent as a first effort in this direction, furnishing some ideas upon the form of the foot and the defect of its covering, which still remain hardly less just and appropriate. Mr. Dowie added some good suggestions, and faithfully exposed the faults of the foot-gear worn by the British army and the humbler classes; but a considerable portion of his book was taken up in the explanation and advocacy of elasticated leather—an article of his own invention—while the whole was written in a style too difficult to be generally read.

Another work published in England was the “Book of the Feet,” by J. Sparkes Hall, issued a few years previous to that of Mr. Dowie. Though very interesting as a concise _history_ of the shoemaking art, it touched but slightly upon those abuses of the feet with which shoemaking is connected.

But a late essay directly upon the subject, by Prof. Hermann Meyer, of Zurich, Switzerland, has a value superior in this respect to that of all the preceding ones.

The present writer has intended to include all the important ideas of previous writers on the subject, together with such information as could be gathered from medical and other works, but going farther and adding such original notions as the observation and thought of his own mind could supply, with the purpose of making the whole as thorough and complete as possible, both from the point of view of the _physiologist_ and that of the practical _shoemaker_.

The book is not written in the dignified style of a professor, nor with literary correctness; but it is hoped the ideas contained, and the nature of the subject-matter, will make it readable. It is addressed to those who desire comfort for their feet, and no less to those who wish to see them handsome in form and tastefully dressed.

As first prepared, the matter, under a different title, was printed in a trade journal—the _Shoe and Leather Reporter_—in 1868, since which a careful revision has improved and adapted it for its present form.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE

INTRODUCTORY 1

CHAPTER II.

Natural Position of the Toes—Anatomical Argument—Correspondence
of Foot and Hand—Necessity of Freedom for the Toes—Criticism on
Forms of Sole 6

CHAPTER III.

Distortion of the Toes and Joint—Various Causes—Want
of Harmony between Shape of Foot and
Shape of Shoe—Grown-in-Nails—Influence of
Stockings, Narrow-Toed Soles, High Heels, and
Changing of Shoes—Faults of Lasts 17

CHAPTER IV.

Prevention of Deformed Toes and Joint—New
Forms of Sole—Eureka Last—True Standard
of Taste—How Distorted Great Toe may be
Straightened—Ancient and Medieval Foot-apparel—Suggestions 36

CHAPTER V.

Flattened Condition, of the Arch—Beauty of One
that is Natural—Nature and Purpose of its Construction—How
it becomes Broken Down—Lengthening
of the Foot—Lack of Development—Means
of Improvement—Lasts for Flat Feet—Transverse
Arch 61

CHAPTER VI.

Natural Character of the Instep—Causes, and Prevention,
of Sores upon it—False Taste—Callosities
of the Heel—Counters—Criticism of Lasts 87

CHAPTER VII.

_Inclinations_ of the Feet—How to Make them tread
Squarely—Peculiar Lasts—Weak Ankles—Cultivation
of Muscle—Turning-in of the Toes 100

CHAPTER VIII.

Corns, Bunions, and Callosities—How they Originate—Nature
of the Skin—Various Causes of
Corns—How to Remove them—Quotations from
the Medical Books—Nature and Treatment of
Bunions 110

CHAPTER IX.

Recapitulation—Lasts for Individual Feet—Possibility
of all Feet being Well Fitted in their
Clothing—Ease and Grace of Movement—A Last
Word for Children 128

CHAPTER X.

Miscellaneous—Criticism of Different Forms and
Fashions—Elasticity—Sensitiveness—Rubbers
and Water-proof Leather—Cure for Sweating—Qualities
of a Good Covering 139

DRESS AND CARE OF THE FEET.