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Chiropody service in School
The Chiropody Clinic at Sir John Cass's Foundation School was started in April, 1967, but
due to the School holidays the major part of the work was carried out in the autumn term.
All the children at the school are seen individually so that their feet and footwear can be
inspected—this procedure is to be repeated at regular intervals of 12-18 months to record any
progress, regress or general change which might have occurred in the time elapsed since the
previous inspection.
Any treatment shown as necessary in the course of these examinations is carried out.
The education of the children is in making them aware of their feet—they are given a general
idea of the structure of the foot and its function as part of their bodies. At the same time a few
of the more common conditions are dwelt upon so that they can recognize danger signals and seek
further advice. Considering the number of adults suffering through sheer neglect and lack of
common sense the plan seems to be working well in so far as the children are concerned. An
average session consists of about 15-20 children who are seen by the Chiropodist who gives a
short talk on the subject of foot health. Pictures are shown whenever possible, including some
very good charts on the correct type and fitting of footwear. The need for the right shoe and
sock measure is always greatly stressed. At this point questions are encouraged and although
the standard varies according to the age groups, none the less there is always a great interest
shown.
Afterwards the children take off their shoes and socks and each one's feet and shoes are
examined. A foot measure is used and details are entered on the child's record card as to the
size of shoe he or she wears as opposed to what he or she ought to be wearing.
Apart from any incipient deformity such as hallux valgus, clawing or burrowing of the smaller
toes which can be detected on such examination, all the skin conditions come to be noticed.
Thus, corns, callosities, verrucae and fungus infections can all be dealt with. It is unfortunate
that even the former are met in the infant groups. The children found to be suffering from any of
these complaints are treated accordingly and seen regularly until the condition is cleared.
This does mean that a further 6-8 children arrive for treatment when the inspection of the
"new" groups is over. There is no doubt as to the value of the project and a few points are
mentioned below:—
Most of the children are wearing shoes much too short (one, or often, two sizes). The inspections
have resulted in parents coming forward and making enquiries as to what ought to be
bought. It is not generally realized that children's feet grow at such different rates, that within
3-4 months a shoe can be completely outgrown. Also the elongation of the foot on standing and
walking is stressed and parents are encouraged to go only to the shops where the foot is measured
and the assistant willing to take enough trouble to find the correct fitting. The question of price
does not arise, this often is paid for the style or name of manufacturer, though people still tend
to think that because they have paid a lot the shoes must be satisfactory. The children themselves
are really becoming more foot-conscious. This is shown by the fact that the older ones return
weeks after they have been seen because they have noticed something which they have been
warned about and they return for advice and treatment. Thus infections, for example, are caught
early and prevented from spreading.
Treatment
The children are seen regularly and various conditions cleared without having to miss school
to attend hospitals or private chiropodists.
The children are not afraid and are interested, an attitude which it is hoped will always
remain with them.
By the end of the Summer term of 1968, all the children in the school will have been individually
examined. Many have been treated for various conditions, advised as to other conditions
and all will have benefited to some degree although this will only be shown by the state of their
feet 10 or 12 years from now.
None the less it is felt that they have a much better chance of good and healthy feet for
having attended a chiropody clinic in their early youth.
Statistics
In the limited time that the scheme had to run in 1967, 7 sessions were held at the School
and 135 inspections were made.
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