THE CHINESE FEMALE FOOT. 



259 



The position of the os calcis is very remarkably altered : instead of the pos- 

 terior projection which usually forms the heel, a straight line is preserved in 

 this direction, not deviating from the line of the tibia ; and the projecting point 

 which forms in an ordinary foot the most posterior process, and into which 

 the tendo Achillis is inserted, touches the ground and becomes the point d'appui 

 for sustaining the whole weight of the body. The articular surface of the calcis, 

 in connection with the cuboid bone, is about half an inch anterior to, and two 

 inches above this point ; while the astragalar joint is behind, and somewhat 

 below, the calco-cuboidal articulation ; consequently the direction of the os 

 calcis (in its long axis) instead of being from behind forwards, is from below 

 upwards, with the slightest possible inclination forwards. The most prominent 

 parts of the instep are the round head of the astragalus, and the cuboidal arti- 

 culation of the OS calcis. From this the remaining tarsal bones slope down- 

 wards at nearly a right-angular inclination to join the metatarsal bones, whose 

 obliquity is still downwards, until they rest on their phalangeal extremities. 



The length between the os calcis where it touches the ground, and the most 

 anterior part of the metatarsal bone of the great toe, is 4 inches. 



The length of the foot including the toes 5^ inches. 



The height of the instep 3 J inches. 



Thus the arch of the foot has a span of two inches and a quarter with the 

 height of two inches, which space is filled up with the condensed cellular sub- 

 stance before described. 



The cleft of the sole traverses the foot at this place, and is three inches in 

 depth. The width of the foot at its broadest part is barely two inches. 



The points of support are the os calcis, the anterior extremity of the meta- 

 tarsal bone of the great toe, and the dorsal surface of the fourth and fifth toes, 

 which are bent under the foot so as to press the ground at this part. 



Such are the anatomical particulars of this singular deformity ; and though 

 Nature has, by providing an accumulation of fat, thickening the skin and cu- 

 ticle, and widening the surface of the heel, done her utmost to rectify the evil 

 consequences of an unnatural custom, yet the awkward gait of a person 

 attempting to walk on such deformed members may be easily imagined. 

 Under such circumstances, in order to preserve equilibrium in an attempt to 

 walk, it must be necessary to bend the body forwards in an uneasy position, 



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