THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEET. 399 



tion the toes are usually packed in a tight, medium-pointed boot ; it is 

 only therefore in action as the toes are pressed against the ground that 

 the full extent of the approximation to a straight inner line is seen. 



In the boot it is of first importance that the sole (technically, the 

 part in front of the hollow or " waist ") should allow the great-toe to 

 occupy its natural position ; it must, therefore, be straight, or nearly 

 so, on the inner margin ; but it is of little use to provide the room 

 thus given unless it be occupied ; the foot must be invited to occupy 

 it by giving plenty of room in the upper leather on this side. It is 

 obvious that where a flexible material is fixed on both sides and left 

 loose between, it can be drawn farthest from the surface to which it 

 is attached, in a line midway between the fixed parts. For this 

 reason the highest part of the foot, which is on the inner side, will, in 

 any case, have some tendency to go to the middle line of the boot 

 where most room can be made ; this tendency is largely and need- 

 lessly aggravated by the high ridge of the last being along the mid- 

 dle line instead of being on the inner margin. But not only ought 

 the room there given to be much more according as the foot projects 

 the more upward ; it ought to be proportionally more. I have in- 

 sisted that the foot does not lengthen in walking, but rather shortens. 

 This shortening, due to the powerful action of the long flexors, causes 

 the foot to rise across the middle, the rising being almost entirely on 

 the inner side. Here, therefore, over (not by the side of) the ball of 

 the great-toe is special room required. The lateral thrust, too, already 

 spoken of as consequent on turning out the toes, tends much to dis- 

 place the foot and to throw it against the outside of the boot. Toe- 

 caps also are objectionable, as giving the most room in the middle line 

 and inviting the great-toe to occupy that position. 



No useful or ornamental purpose is served by leaving space unoc- 

 cupied round the outer margin of the sole opposite the little toes, as if 

 it were necessary to make the two sides of the boot to match. No 

 angle existing in nature, none should be represented ; the outline of 

 the sole of the boot should conform to that of the foot. 



If it be true, as already stated, that grace in walking, as well as 

 free propulsion of the body onward, and maintenance of the arch in 

 walking, are all due to the free action of the flexor muscles, letting 

 the heel down with gentleness and precision, and raising it with firm- 

 ness and vigor, it follows that none of these can be if the boot prevent 

 the heel from going down, a necessary antecedent to springing up. A 

 low heel, therefore, if any, is imperative. The perfect boot should 

 have none. Nor can the free action of the flexor muscles have full 

 effect, so as to draw the toes to the ground, if the sole be turned up at 

 the toes, especially if it be a stiff one. Some turning up will come 

 from walking, however good, but there is no reason why it should be 

 aggravated by having the boot-last so. In it the sole should be flat 

 to the end. 



