256 
MR. COOPER’S ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION OF 
breadth, and above all, the extremely dense nature of the cellular tissue of the 
foot, it is evident that progression must at all times be difficult ; and even the 
poising of the body when in the erect position, must require unusual exertion 
of muscular power, which, considering the disadvantages with which these 
muscles have to contend, is a matter of no small astonishment. 
From the heel to the great toe the foot is unusually short, not exceeding five 
inches, and is said in some instances to measure even less than this ; and the 
great toe itself, which in its natural and free state projects in a straight forward 
direction, is bent with a peculiar abruptness upwards and backwards, whilst 
the remaining toes, with the exception of the first phalanx of the second and 
third, are doubled in beneath the sole of the foot, so as to leave scarcely any 
breadth at this part of the foot, which in the unconstrained limb is commonly 
the broadest ; and the striking shortness of the heel scarcely projecting beyond 
the line of the leg, which itself descends upon the foot at a considerable ob- 
liquity from behind forwards, imparts an appearance to the foot, as if it were 
kept in a state of permanent extension. The upper surface of the foot is very 
convex ; but its convexity is irregular and unnatural, presenting a sudden and 
prominent projection just anterior to the external malleolus, and above the 
outer extremity of a deep cleft which traverses the sole of the foot. But as it 
is in the sole that the most remarkable alterations are produced, I shall give a 
particular description of it first. 
Sole of the Foot. 
In describing the sole, we will suppose the foot to rest upon the heel, as it 
would do were the individual placed horizontally upon the back. In this view 
we observe the great toe bent backwards towards the leg, and immediately 
beneath the articulation of its two phalanges the second toe is so twisted under 
it that its extremity reaches to the inner edge of the foot ; its nail occupies 
the centre of this position, having a considerable projection of integument 
beyond it. Next, but still anterior to the ball of the great toe, are the two 
extreme phalanges of the third toe ; they are placed more obliquely than the 
phalanges of the second toe, and consequently do not reach so far inwards 
across the foot. The nail of this toe is somewhat nearer its extremity, but more 
completely on its anterior surface, so as nearly to touch the edge of the pre- 
