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41
Dr. Emslie, who has been engaged on this work since the commencement of
these toddlers' examinations, instead of commenting on the year's work, has, at
my request, prepared a note, which follows, on the principles which should govern
the choice of children's shoes—a matter which may have a considerable bearing on
the incidence of foot deformities and disabilities in later life.
Boots.—Boots are unsuitable wear for children because they hinder the use
of certain essential joints of the feet. Everything to be strong must be consistently
used. For certain purposes in late childhood where extra protection is
required, as in playing rough games, or to cut out certain movements, such as sideways
wobble in skating, boots are allowable, but only as exceptional wear. A young
child should never be hampered at the start by placing him in boots.
Showing (1) outline of foot against
(2) outline of round-toed shoe.
Arrows indicate: (3) and (3') the
correct position of first and second
toes. (4) and (4') deviation produced
by shoe curved at toes.
Diagram 11.
To show deviation of borders of
foot from heel forwards. Breadth
of foot at ball—1.6 times breadth
at heel.
Shape of the Shoe.—The shoe chosen should
obviously correspond (overall) with the shape
of the child's foot, that is to say, it should be
longer along its inner than its outer border and
should be straight at the sides. The average
child's shoe now-a-days fulfils this requirement,
but shoes exist which have a rounded front
curved off equally on both sides. These are
bad since they inevitably press the toes into
and over each other and cause interference with
walking. Infants' shoes and some later models,
especially shoes with broad welts and unbuilt-up
uppers, are frequently below standard on this
account. (See diagram I).
The sides of the shoe should deviate so that
the front of the shoe is broader than the back,
corresponding again to the shape of the foot.
Shoes in which the two borders are not only
straight but are parallel are incorrect. Either
the fore part of the foot is unduly compressed
or the child's heel is slopping about in the
hinder part of such shoes. Mothers buying
their babies' first walking shoes should particularly
look out for this fault as it occurs mostly
in the soft kid shoes designed for babies' of
about a year old, as does also the rounded
toe. (See diagrams II and III).
The Axis of the Foot.—In infants' feet the
big toe often takes a curve inwards, on its own,
away from the others. (Diagram IV (3) ). Many
feet show, in addition to this, a twist or turn