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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Fig. 8 shows a deformity of the foot resulting from inflammation 

 of the metatarsal, phalangeal, or great-toe joint. 



Fig. 9 shows an apparatus for the cure of bunyons. Its object is 

 to draw the great-toe back into line with the great arch of the foot. 



Fig. 5. 



Fig. 6. 



Erichson says, bunyon is caused by improperly cut shoes, and adds 

 that to cure it the foot should be put in a shoe cut straight from 

 heel to toe at the inner line of the sole. The toes are naturally quite 

 flexible. Cases are well known of men and women who, being devoid 

 of hands or fingers, have learned to use the feet and toes instead. 

 Miss Biffin, of London, became expert as a portrait-painter ; another 



woman used scissors to cut out all sorts 

 of figures from paper ; and men have 

 been fully as capable with their toes. The 

 Chinese and Hindoos are said to be able 

 to pick up the most delicate objects with 

 their toes. Yet in most feet the toes are 

 wholly incapable of independent motion, 

 while in many feet they are entirely stiff, 

 and are distressing objects to look at. 



In -growing nails are caused by shoes 

 which are too short, and are a source of 

 exquisite torture. This disease may de- 

 generate into a worse condition called 

 onyxitis (see Fig. 10), when it discharges 

 a fetid humor, and may render a resort 

 to the surgeon's knife a necessity. Caries 

 of the bone may follow wounds, bruises, 

 contusions, bunyons, corns, and calluses of the feet ; and bunyons, corns, 

 and calluses, as well as wounds, bruises, and contusions, may take on 

 erysipelatous, scrofulous, ulcerous, or tumorous conditions. Exostosis 



Fio. 7. 



