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Diagram III.
To show impossibility of a fit with
a parallel-sided shoe.
Diagram IV.
(1) "Curved" foot indicating
deviation inwards of axis of foot
from heel to ball.
(2) "Straight" foot showing
straight axis from heel to ball.
(3) Outline of foot showing incurved
big toe and axes along which
weight is borne in fore part of foot
(half total to big toe).
in the axis of the foot which brings the middle
of the fore part of the foot nearer the mid line
of the body than the central axis of the heel
(c.f. diagram IV (1) ). This important character
appears in many strong, well-arched and supple
feet, whereas a foot with a straight axis from
heel to toe is often a less well arched and
generally less impressive foot. (Diagram IV
(2) ). The axis of the shoe should, naturally,
throughout its length correspond with the axis
of the foot. Since, moreover, in walking and
running movements and in dancing, the big
toe and that part of the ball of the foot which
corresponds to the first and second toes carry
the bulk of the weight (the big toe actually
having been proved by experiment to carry
half the total weight), these must, of all parts
of the foot, have space and purchase within
the shoe. If a foot with a curved axis or incurved
big toe is forced into a shoe that is long
enough and wide enough, but of which the axis
is straight, the most vital part of the foot is
that which is pressed on and pushed out of
its normal bearings. Consequently the foot
in attempting to carry the weight, acts at extreme
disadvantage : great strain is caused
and breakdown in the long run often follows
though the factor concerned is often not clear.
To conserve the form and functional fitness of
children's feet mothers must find by an outline
drawing the general "trend" of these feet as
regards their central axes (c.f. diagram) and
seek shoes in which the "line" corresponds.
Fit of the Shoe.—A correctly fitting shoe
is not just a shoe that will go on. The shoe
must be long enough and broad enough for the
foot placed in it not to be compressed when the
weight of the body is brought to bear on the
foot. This does not mean that the shoe should
take, and just take, the foot in the standing
position. Mothers understand that such a
"fit" is impossible in regard to their own
feet, since, if the big toe touches the end of the
shoe, the foot is cramped, the muscles of the
arch and leg go into a state of spasm, and the