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of the shoe. The toes get cramped, assume a deformed position and the deformity
becomes permanent. The tightness restricts the blood supply to the joints and
tendons; there is no pain at first, but later the child shows unwillingness to
walk, run or play. There may be aching in the knees and legs due to fatigue of
the leg and foot muscles. The joints become stiff and cause pain in later years,
especially after age 40. The strain leads to bad health, bad position of the body
generally, poor movement and slowness.
Choosing Footwear.
It is very important to choose a child's shoes with great care. The child
does not know whether his shoes fit properly or not. Measure the length and
width of the foot and heel in the standing position. The length of the fitted shoe
from the back of the heel to the front of the toe cap should be three-quarters
of an inch longer than the length of the foot standing. The width of the shoe
should properly fit the width of the forefoot and heel, the widest part of the
shoe should coincide with the widest part of the foot. The heel should fit snugly.
The curve of the shoe should fit the curve of the foot. Try on both shoes as the
fit may not be alike in both feet. A good tip is to fit the child's heel into the
shoe with the remainder of the foot resting lightly on top of the shoe. You can
then see if there is sufficient clearing in the length and width and that the curve
is correct. Check the length and width of the child's shoes frequently. Don't
bother about sizes; they vary enormously in different makes. Have the shoes
repaired early. Check measurements when they come back from the repairers.
Buy shoes of good quality. Find a shop which stocks the correct fit and stick
to that shop. Never buy shoes without a fitting. Have good strong laces that
don't snap.
Don't walk about in shoes without stockings. The leather becomes sodden,
infected and unhealthy. Changing shoes frequently brings relief to overworked
muscles and preserves the shape of shoes. If possible have two pairs available
for wear on alternate days. Don't forget about the house slippers at school.
These are often never checked. When your daughter is between 14 and 17 years
old, do not let her have her own way about choosing shoes. The fit is the
important thing. She will ruin her feet if she buys them too tight. She will look
far smarter in a well-fitting shoe, and it will keep its shape and smartness longer.
Big feet look smartest in shoes which fit them. If they are too tight, she will
get bulging ankles, halux valgus, bunions, corns and callosities. These points
about well-fitting shoes apply with equal importance to socks and stockings;
if these are too tight they will cause the same damage. There are some dreadful
baby shoes in which you cannot distinguish right from left; they will ruin
your baby's feet in no time.
Periodic Check.
You can examine a child's foot yourself. Every now and again, stand him
erect with feet together. Look at both back and front of his feet and legs. See
that there are no knock-knees or bow-legs; that the ankles are straight and not
tilted over, and that the big toe is straight in line with the inner edge of the foot.
Then sit the child down in a chair and test each foot for movement. You should
be able to bend the foot upwards and downwards in line with the leg quite
freely and from side to side; there should be free movement of all the toes,
especially the big toe. If there is any deformity or stiffness, or unequal wear on
either shoe, do not hesitate to consult your own doctor or the doctor at your local
welfare centre, or school clinic, or at the time of the child's medical inspection
in school.
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