View report page

18
THE WALTHAMSTOW CHIROPODY SERVICE
Contributed by R.J. King, M.Ch.S.
Walthamstow Chiropody Service started in 1931, being the
second municipal clinic in the country, and from the start
provided special sessions for children, as it was realised at
that early date the importance of chiropody to the child pop
ulation. Situated in various parts of the borough we have
five clinics, each has an allocation of schools to look after,
the schools making appointments direct to their clinic, thus
every child has an appointment, and is seen at the stated time,
thereby avoiding wasting too much school time.
We have a staff of six full time chiropodists, plus four
part time, being the only Health Area in the county having a
full staff, and the only area giving a full chiropody service
to all age groups.
The weekly childrens clinics are well patronised, 2,351
treatments having been given last year. A large proportion of
these children attend with verruca pedis (foot warts), and the
growing amount of corns, various types of nail troubles, plus
a great many allied conditions. Our clinic acts as a clearing
house, as we are often the first to examine their feet, and
are able to pass on the conditions that should be seen by the
doctor.
The footwear of a large section of the children leaves
much to be desired. Great harm is being caused by children
following the example of adults, and I am sorry to say condoned
by their parents. There seems to be a tendency for a
large section of parents to abide by the judgement of the
child when buying shoes. Still the greater curse in footwear
is the court, slipper or casual shoe worn by the girls, and
now the pointed toe shoe for boys, is providing us with more
patients and in both the boys and girls are producing, hallux
valgus, overlapping toes, retracted toes, painful heels, and
a damage to nail plates.
We must not overlook the trouble caused by pressure from
stretch man made fibre socks and stockings, these are extreme
ly strong and exert back pressure on the toes. I should also
point out that the wearing of correctly fitted shoes and socks
in childhood will help to produce good feet, but this does not
give immunity in later life if the rules of good fitting shoes
and stockings are broken.