326 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



erage, and a greater space for the arch to fall when once it gives way. 

 In the majority of cases the mischief would stop when the arch reached 

 the level of the natural heel, but the heels of boots favor a still greater 

 fall, which ends in e version of the foot. It is difficult to understand 

 how women submit to the discomfort of wearing high-heeled boots, or 

 can be so cruel as to let their daughters wear them. It is true they 

 give a fictitious height to the body, and disguise the slighter forms of 

 flat-foot, but on the other hand they exaggerate the severer forms, and 

 the boots are entirely wanting in proportion. Zeising's law of propor- 

 tion requires that the sole and the heel should have the relative length 

 of three to two, like that of the normal foot. 



In treating the deformities of the spine and legs incident to healthy 

 girls, it is obvious that attention must be directed, in the first instance, 

 to correcting the def oi'med knees and feet. The very first signs of the 

 giving way of the arch of the foot, which is easily detected by exami- 

 nation, by growing pains, and especially a change of gait, should be 

 met by the wearing of flat-soled, well-fitting boots, with India-rubber 

 or felt pads inside to support the arch, and special exercises favorable 

 to the development of the deep flexor muscles. At puberty, and for 

 two or three years before, the growth is very vigorous, and in both 

 stature and bulk girls shoot ahead of boys of the same age, the period 

 of rapid growth of boys coming later. From ten to fourteen years the 

 stature of girls increases at a uniform rate of two inches per year, ex- 

 cept at thirteen, when it is two inches and a half ; but the weight in- 

 creases at a much greater rate. At ten years girls add four pounds, 

 at eleven six pounds, at twelve ten pounds, at thirteen twelve pounds, 

 and at fourteen and fifteen eight pounds to their weight, and this sud- 

 den addition to the weight tells rapidly on ankles, feet, and knees, 

 placed at a disadvantage by concurrent change in the position of the 

 lower limbs by the evolution of the pelvis and the cramping of the 

 muscles by tight boots. The arch of the foot often breaks down in 

 the course of a few weeks, without warning or apparent cause, and in 

 girls in perfect health, and especially those of an indolent habit. Fort- 

 unately, the remedy is as easy and complete, if applied promptly at 

 the beginning and adhered to persistently, as it is difficult and unsatis- 

 factory if put off till the deformity is firmly established. Support to 

 the arch of the foot prevents the formation of knock-knee and lateral 

 curvature of the spine. When it fails to do so, the knock-knee can be 

 corrected by the temporary application of long splints, especially in 

 bed at nights ; but no apparatus is necessary for the curvature of the 

 spine in its earlier stages, as it will disappear on restoring the lateral 

 balance of the body, and all treatment will be useless until this is done. 

 Much walking or standing should be avoided, and short but vigorous 

 gymnastic exercises substituted, and when possible the recumbent po- 

 sition assumed. Sitting on the ground or on a sofa, in the cross- 

 legged, Oriental position, serves to expand the pelvis, evert the knees 



