Beauty Culture (Woodbury)/Chapter 8

The instruments necessary for the chiropodist are not many, but these few should be of the best kind, Cheap steel instruments soon lose their cutting edges and have to be thrown away. The repeated buying of such makes the ultimate expense far more than when the best are bought in the beginning.

Following is a list of what are required:

Nail Clipper. The nail clippers should be of the best steel, with the nail-cutting or clipper curved so that when clipping off the nail it will give the required shape. It is illustrated in Fig. 36.

The blades should meet evenly and be sharp so that, by bringing the handles together, the nail will be evenly and quickly clipped off.

Fig. 36.NAIL CLIPPER

Nail Scissors. The scissors should be curved on the flat. The blades should be stout and short. This instrument is used to cut or trim the nails as well as pieces of loosened skin of soft or hard corns; therefore it should be of the best quality of steel. The proper kind is shown in Fig. 37.

Fig. 37.NAIL SCISSORS

For hygienic reasons the so-called French lock is to be preferred, since this allows them to be taken apart and thoroughly cleansed and dried. The ordinary screw lock is hard to clean and invites sepsis.

Corn Knife. This instrument is a type of razor, a short, slightly hollowed blade with one cutting edge, blunt at the end and back, where it is thickened.

The handle should be of steel, nickel-plated to insure ​cleanliness. Bone or horn handles soon become loose and useless from the boiling which is necessary in the proper cleaning of all instruments, and antiseptic solutions attack them readily. The proper instrument is shown in Fig. 38.

Fig. 38.CORN KNIFE

This instrument should never be used on the nails or bony callouses, for such employment soon destroys its fine, razor-like edge.

Scalpel. This is really a small, metal-handled operating knife which is used for paring off callous skin and soft corns, and not for cutting hard corns. It should be of the best steel, not too thick in the blade and of the size and shape shown in Fig. 39.

Fig. 39.OPERATING SCALPEL

Tweezers. The tweezers should be of steel, with stout, well-meeting sharp points, ribbed inside of the points and outside in the handles to permit of a firm hold. They are used to raise pieces of skin or soft corns that have been loosened, or partially dissected with the scalpel, and which are to be cut away finally with the scissors. These tweezers are called Dressing Forceps, and are shown in Fig. 40.

The tweezers are also to be used to convey dressings ​of small size to the parts operated on, or to crowd cotton under ingrown nails, as later described.

Fig. 40.DRESSING FORCEPS

Hone. The hone to be selected for the sharpening of knives should be of the best quality. The usual barber's hone is a little too fine. An oil stone of high quality answers best. It should be about four inches long, and one and one-half inches wide. Plenty of oil should be used in sharpening, and the knife should he drawn evenly toward the centre of the hone, edge inward, first the one side and then the other of the knife. A number of strokes are needed to get a good edge. Drawing the knife away from the centre of the hone with the knife edge outward tends to give a sawlike edge.

Pumice Stone. At the present day pumice stone may be had in various-sized pieces of regular shape, either oblong, oval or round. It is best to purchase one of these, instead of using the rough and irregular stone, as it makes a better impression, while it does the work more effectively.

Preparation of the Feet. To prepare the feet properly for pedicuring, they should be soaked for a few minutes in as hot water as can comfortably be borne. A little borax, about a teaspoonful, may be added to the water. It renders the latter slightly antiseptic, and helps to soften the cuticle and corns as well as the toe-nails.

Remove the feet from the bath and dry with a clean towel, rubbing downward toward the toes. Dry well and pay particular attention to the skin between the toes. ​Moisture does not permit of good work. When the skin is wet the fingers are liable to slip nor can the instruments render as good service.

Diseases of the Feet. There are a number of diseases of the feet which the chiropodist will be called upon to treat and overcome; and to give the proper knowledge and the practical method of treatment each will be fully considered under its own heading.

Corns. The most common disease of the foot is the so-called corn. There are three types generally considered:

1. Hard Corns.
2. Soft Corns.
3. Vascular Corns.

Hard Corns. These painful, localized callosities are usually found upon the toes, particularly on the second joint of the small toe, but they may occur on all toes, and at one or both joints of each, or the skin over one or two of such joints of all the toes may alone be affected.

A corn is composed of callous skin, having a central plug of horny skin pointing downward into the sensitive layer of the true skin. The outer cuticle, or horny layer of the skin, is thickened by reason of constant irritation, or the pressure caused by shoes which are either too tight or too loose, or which do not match the shape of the foot. In tight shoes, the cause is pressure; in loose, friction; in shoes that do not perfectly fit the shape of the foot, it may be both.

As the horny layer becomes thicker, the plug beneath its central point is forced deeper into the sensitive true skin, and walking becomes a painful task, even the mere touch of the finger sometimes producing an acute ache. If the cause of the disease continues, the skin ​about and below the corn becomes highly inflamed, and an abscess may eventually form which at once becomes a serious condition, liable, without proper antiseptic care, to end in blood poisoning.

When, therefore, one discovers a corn on one of the toes, it should be treated at once, not simply to cut away the callous skin, but to remove the corn permanently. This will sometimes prove a tedious task, especially if the patron persists in clinging to the ascertained cause of the trouble.

It is well to tell your patron that to cut away a corn and give present relief is an easy matter, whereas to prevent its recurrence requires not only skill on your part, but the patron's co-operation. Much can be done, however, in the average case by following the methods herein given.

The foot upon which the corn has come is immersed in a hot footbath. The water should be as hot as can be well endured, since the heat by expansion of tissue softens the corns, at the same time reducing the irritation of the whole toe. The foot should remain at least ten minutes in the bath. It is then dried, and placed with the heel down upon a properly cushioned stool, which has previously been covered with a clean towel.

The afflicted toe is then taken between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. The corn knife is held in the right, and with it the operator, gently and carefully, pares down the hard mass, working from the centre of the corn outward or toward himself.

Proceed in a circular manner to trim away all the callous part, until the skin becomes thin and rosy in color. Do not cut so deeply as to draw blood.

This done, apply a little carbolated vaseline to the part operated on and allow it to be absorbed.

​The next step is to prevent further friction or pressure. To overcome this, cut out a disc of felt, or one or two pieces of chamois skin, about four times the size of the corn. Then cut a circular piece out of the centre of the disc of the material used, about twice the diameter of the corn.

The disc, thus formed, is laid upon the toe with the corn at the open centre. Fasten the disc down with several fine strips of adhesive zinc oxide plaster, or paint the part over with flexible collodion, applied in several layers with a fine camel-hair brush, letting it dry and harden.

Flexible collodion can be obtained at any drug store. It forms a skin or film when painted on any surface, and is preferable to plasters, which are liable to be sweated off or rubbed off in walking.

The stocking may now be drawn over the foot and a proper shoe worn. An old shoe will be found best for the purpose, or the shoe may be cut in such a manner that the pressure over the corn is relieved. If the pad is properly put on, in nine cases out of ten cutting the shoe should not be necessary.

The pad, or disc, applied as directed, is removed the second or third day, and a new one applied. This treatment should be continued until the corn disappears, or until it fails to rebuild itself. After that the patron should look to the wearing of proper shoes.

The Medicinal Method. Another method of removing a corn permanently is to pare down the hard callous mass and then paint the corn with the following mixture:

​A coating of this paint should be applied on the corn every day for at least a week, care being used not to paint the surrounding skin. On the eighth day, after a hot footbath, remove the collodion skin and the corn will come away with it. If it does not come away entirely, the same method is to be repeated.

Once removed, all pressure of the shoes at the afflicted part must be guarded against.

Another method is to use the following plaster:

Melt the resin and balsam together over a slow fire; add the acid and stir until the mixture is even.

Then place a pad of felt, or chamois skin, with a hole in its centre over the corn. This pad should be stuck to the skin, with a mixture of equal parts of balsam of fir and resin, melted over a slow fire. Stir well, and while still warm, paint it on the under side of the felt or chamois skin, which, when cold, can be cut into discs, and a hole made in the centre.

Having fastened the disc to the corn, a little of the paste, of which the recipe has just been given, is put into the hole over the exposed corn. A quantity equal to the size of a half pea is about sufficient. This is allowed to remain in the corn for one or two nights, or until it drops off of its own accord, when the corn will come away with it. If the corn is not entirely removed, the method is repeated. All pressure of the shoe should be guarded against thereafter.

Inflamed Hard Corns. If the skin about a hard corn is inflamed and tender, it is best to reduce the inflammation with hot water baths, allowing the foot to ​remain in the bath at least fifteen minues. Dry the skin thoroughly and relieve the corn of all shoe pressure with a chamois pad as above directed. Repeat the bath the next day and remove the corn as heretofore directed.

If the above treatment does not overcome the soreness, place a hot poultice of linseed meal about the corn overnight, removing the corn the next morning. The linseed meal is mixed with hot water till it forms a paste, then is put in cheese cloth as applied, or may be plastered over and bandaged on, the meal coming into direct contact with the corn and surrounding tissue.

Soft Corns. The soft corn is, in structure, the same as the hard corn; but is found usually on the side of the toe where there is sufficient moisture to keep the callous skin soft.

To remove a soft corn, separate the toes with the fingers of the left hand, after the proper preparation of the foot, as described before, and remove the thick cuticle with the scissors, being careful not to make the parts bleed.

But a better or more scientific method is to employ a Toe Expander, which holds the toes apart, leaving both hands of the operator free to work with. The instrument, which is cheap, is so made that it can be held in position with a set screw; it is shown in Fig. 41.

Quite often the soft corns, if allowed to remain, will cause a blister to form beneath, which is broken by friction, creating a painfully exposed area of true skin. In this event, the edges of thickened cuticle are cut away with the scissors, and an antiseptic dusting powder, such as aristol, sifted upon the wound to heal it.

After the removal of a soft corn, a felt Disc or Washer is to be applied over it to prevent further fric​tion or pressure. An old shoe should be worn several days until the parts have returned to a normal state.

Fig. 41.TOE EXPANDER

If the feet perspire very freely, condition often accompanying the presence of soft corns, they should be treated as later described. (See Perspiring Feet on page 112.)

Vascular Corns. This form of corn is not commonly encountered. Such corns are found mostly upon the sole of the foot, either under the heel or the ball of large toe. They resemble a wart, somewhat, and are composed of a number of small blood vessels from which they get their name.

These corns are of a spongy nature, lying deep in the skin and very little above it.

There may be a number of these vessels visible in the form of little red spots.

The skin about the corn is usually inflamed and tender.

The treatment for such corns is as follows: Prepare ​the foot by bathing as for the removal of other corns, then carefully cut away with the corn knife or a corn file the upper surface, taking care not to incise or cut the veins. If the veins lie too near the surface to do this, or if a vein is cut in the paring treatment, touch the bleeding point with the dry tip of a lunar caustic pencil, or with a little nitric acid, applied with a wooden tooth pick. If the acid is used, be careful not to get it on the surrounding skin.

This at once causes the vessel to stop oozing, but nothing must be attempted further until healing has been established.

If there are a number of such red points showing, it is best to treat with nitric acid, applied to each spot with a toothpick. This is to be repeated every other day. In the meantime, place a chamois or a felt disc about the corn, in the manner previously described, to relieve pressure. Loose shoes are also advised.

After a number of such treatments, the corn will be found to grow smaller, or to shrivel up, finally disappearing altogether. The inflammation of the skin usually subsides in one or two days, if pressure on the foot is relieved as directed.

The discs of chamois or felt should be worn over the site of the corn for several weeks, even if there is no sign of the corn, to prevent its return and to give the skin an opportunity to become normally thick again.

Callosities or Callous Skin. This is a common condition of the feet, and is due to the friction of ill-fitting shoes. It usually appears in spots about the sole of the foot, at the heel, or the ball, or at both places. There may be one or more of such areas of thickened, horny skin closely grouped.

​To restore these painful surfaces to a proper stafe the foot is bathed as described heretoforc. When dried, the foot is taken between the fingers and the thumb of the left hand, and the skin is pared or shaved off carefully with the scalpel, held in the right hand, as shown in Fig. 42.

Fig. 42.REMOVAL OF CALLOUS SKIN

Do not cut carelessly, or too deep. Avoid wounding the skin. Pare the callous down until the surface looks pink and is thin to the touch.

It is well now to apply some antiseptic lotion, such as listerine, or witch hazel. Allow this to remain on and dry in, as it were. Dust on some stearate of zinc and cover over the surface with a fairly thick layer of absorbent cotton. Over this lay a two-ply piece of borated gauze and hold the whole in position with strips of rubber adhesive plaster.

​Advise the patron to wear a loose shoe. Owing to the movement in walking, these dressings are likely to be displaced and need to be renewed every day.

After the skin has taken on a more normal appearance, apply borated white vaseline to the arca with a thin layer of cotton over it, and with gauze held in place by plaster strips. This tends to help nature restore the skin and to keep it soft and pliable at the same time.

Onyxis, or Ingrowth of the Toe Nails. This extremely painful condition is due to the careless cutting of the toe nails and the wearing of shoes narrow at the toes, or of shoes that, while broad enough, may press down too closely on the toes. The outer or inner sides of the great toe nail are usually affected, although any toc may be.

The skin of the sides of the nail, having been pinched against the nail edge continuously for weeks or months, soon rises over the nail and becomes thickened and swollen. Eventually the nail cuts into the groove thus formed, causing the most excruciating pain upon walking or even when standing quietly.

Some persons have a tendency toward ingrown nails because of the natural curvature of the nails, which, not being trimmed properly, soon grow down into the cuticle. It is therefore necessary in all cases to look very carefully to the trimming of the nails. The dry scales of cuticle should be removed from under the edges of the nail. The nail should be cut square across at its free end, and if, owing to a natural curvature of the nail, the edge tends to turn down at the sides, they should be elevated as hereafter described, and kept in this position until the nail ceases to curve downward. In the meantime the centre of the nail from the cuticle to the outer ​edge should be filed down. This tends to raise the sides of the nail.

Another method is, to cut a V-shaped piece out of the free edge of the nail. In doing this, care should be taken not to injure the tender skin under the nail. The filing down of the nail is shown in the dotted lines and the V-shaped cut in dark outlines in Fig. 43.

Fig. 43.FILING THE NAIL

If the nail sides have already curved downward, the dead scales of cuticle are removed carefully from under the edges with a pointed orangewood stick. This is followed with a packing of absorbent cotton, that should be allowed to remain there for twenty-four hours or two days, when it must be removed and replaced. This procedure should be continued until the nail has taken on a normal growth.

If inflammation or wounding of the skin has taken place, the treatment must vary accordingly. The foot should be bathed in hot water to which a teaspoonful of borax has been added. This softens the nail and skin and is autiseptic as well. The foot is now dried, and the parts about the ingrown nail are washed with a swab of cotton, dipped into listerine or alcohol, or into ​a solution of peroxide of hydrogen and water, equal parts.

The latter is especially useful, if pus has appeared at the seat of irritation.

The peroxide will cause foam to appear at the site of the wound. This is washed off with listerine, and the edge of the nail is pried up gently and out of the inflamed groove. This will be found to be very painful, and the entire lifting may not be accomplished at the first sitting. If not, it should be repeated the next day—and daily thereafter until the nail edge lies free above the skin. In the meantime, a piece of absorbent cotton is packed under the edge of the nail to keep it raised. The method of introducing this is shown in Fig. 44.

Fig. 44.INSERTING COTTON UNDER NAIL

​A little zine ointment should be applied to the inflamed skin and groove, to heal the parts. All pressure at the side of the toe should be avoided.

Another good method is to use a thin wedge of cork, which has been dipped into a weak carbolic acid solution before using. Two drops of carbolic acid to the ounce of water will answer very well. The advantage of the cork is that, as it becomes moist, it swells gradually and this raises the nail edge. This should be renewed every second day.

Either of the treatments is, of course, to be continued until a cure has been established. If in the meantime the edge of the nail appear rough or sharp, it should be trimmed of its jagged edges, which will give a great deal of relief. But much cutting is not advisable, since it tends to make the nail grow thick in some cases, and brittle in others.

The nail during treatment should be filed down thin along its centre, and the V-shaped cut be continued and made as shown in Fig. 43.

If the ingrown nail has caused too much skin disturbance, indicated by the parts being highly inflamed and swollen, and the nail edge has become so deeply buried that it will be found useless to pry it upward without causing damage to the toe, the patron should be advised to see a surgeon for a permanent operation in order that complete relief may be secured as quickly as possible.

Bunions. If the foot has been subjected to the continuous pressure of a short or a too narrow shoe for a long time, it often happens that the skin over the second joint of the great toe at its outer side becomes inflamed. This may also happen on the outer side of the same joint ​of the small toe, or both great and small toes may be involved. This condition is, however, most commonly found in the large toe.

If this inflammation is not relieved, it leads, at first, to the formation of a callous, which, by the continued pressure, causes irritation of the bursa, or little sac that covers the joint cushion-like, to protect its delicate joint lining.

The inflammation under consideration at first leads only to a callous formation, disappearing in from three to four days when the cause is removed, but necessarily recurring at short intervals if the proper shoe is not placed upon the foot, and eventually leading to a thickening of the entire tissue about the joint, and then to an enlargement of the joint, and ultimately to a partial dislocation of the joint, the toe being thrown inward and forward, disfiguring the entire foot.

This condition must not be confounded with gouty or rheumatic disease. The history of the bunion is quite easily followed, and the gradual development of the enlargement, with spasmodic inflammation following the wearing of new or tight shoes, should convince the pedicurist of the correctness of his diagnosis.

The early relief and obliteration of a bunion is a simple matter, but once it has become chronic little can be done as a rule to give permanent relief except a surgical operation.

Given an early case of bunion during the stage of inflammation, all causes of pressure must be removed. Shoes of ample length and width across the hall of the foot should be advised at once. The foot should be bathed in hot water for fifteen to thirty minutes to reduce the inflammation, and a soothing lotion be applied over night to relieve the pain and swelling.

​The following should be painted upon the part several times a day with a camel-hair brush:

Or, if the pain is very marked, the following may be employed with better result:

This is painted about the joint at least three times a day.

After the bath, usually given at night, all callous skin and the small corns about the size of a split pea that are so commonly found about the enlarged joint should be trimmed away with the knife before the application of either of the above recipes is made.

If, by any chance, the skin is wounded, neither of these lotions must be used.

In such case, where the inflammation is moderate, a paste made as follows will be found to give relief:

Rub the vaseline and the zine together well to make a smooth mixture. Apply to joint with two folds of gauze, over which place a layer of absorbent cotton, which must be held in place with strips of adhesive plaster.

Shoes should not be worn at any time during such treatment, or, if they must be, that part of the shoe over the toe joint should be cut out to relieve all pressure. A heavy stocking should then be used to cover the dressing just mentioned.

Hot or cold applications of witch-hazel at night often give excellent results in mild cases.

​Once the inflammation, swelling and pain has subsided, do not let the patron wear a shoe without encircling the site of the bunion with a ring of felt, or chamois, to prevent further pressure on the part. See Fig. 45.

The faithful use of such a protective, and the wearing of proper shoes will usually effect a cure, if the case has been seen early enough.

Fig. 45.APPLYING BUNION SHIELD

If the case has become chronic or an abscess has developed, a great deal of attention is required, and in most cases the services of a surgeon arc necessary.

In case an abscess has formed, it is well to poultice the part with a flaxseed meal poultice, applied hot, at short intervals, until the skin becomes thinned out by the pressure of the pus, when it should be opened and the pus let out. The small lancet with which the incision is made should be sterilized both just before and after each operation by dipping into a little jar of sterilizing fluid.

The wound is washed with equal parts of peroxide of hydrogen and water, after which aristol powder is dusted on. Over this, lay two plies of gauze covered with al​sorbent cotton and a bandage to prevent infection or injury. This dressing is to be renewed each day.

Once the parts are healed, a protective bunion-shield or ring must be placed over the affected parts until recovery is confirmed beyond a possibility of relapse. Proper shoes, of course, are to be worn.

For dislocation of the toe, and enlargement of the joint, nothing but surgical intervention will be of any use. The patron must in this case be referred to a skilful physician or specialist.

Flatfoot. When the arch of the foot becomes weakened or broken down, the sole of the foot, instead of being arched between the ball and heel of the foot, becomes flat or sprawled.

This condition is becoming more and more marked in modern times, due principally to the wearing of improperly made shoes.

High heels are a cause to a great extent, as well as improperly balanced shoes with little or no support under the arch.

It is also caused by continuous standing, or by excessive walking or by adiposity. Even moderately stout persons are very liable to become victims of this affliction. Long-continued confinement to the bed, as during a protracted illness, or general weakness, are also causes. In such cases, the muscles of the leg having become weakened, the whole weight of the body falls upon the body structure of the foot, and causes it to give way.

Children who are taught to walk too early in life often become flatfooted.

The loss of the arch of the foot may occur at any time in life, and as often in men as women. It may be found more often with the former, however, in certain locali​ties, where a man is subjected to long periods of work in a standing position, and eats improper or poorly cooked food. Low vitality and poor environment may be stated as very common causes.

The early symptoms of flatfoot are rather uncertain. There is no sign of inflammation about the feel. The patron complains of pains in the feet, a dull aching in the calves of the legs, and of becoming easily tired on standing or walking.

On examination the arch may seem to be as shown in Fig. 27, but as these symptoms continue to grow worse, and walking becomes a burden, the arch will be seen to fall lower and lower, until the entire sole of the foot falls flat upon the floor as shown in Fig. 28.

Once this condition has resulted, there is little possibility of restoring the arches to the normal position.

Cases must be recognized and treated early, in order to attain any marked relief, and, unfortunately, the patients will not often present themselves until too late.

Early in the disease, the feet should be bathed nightly in a hot bath to which a handful of sea-salt has been added. The bath should last about fifteen minutes. After thoroughly drying the skin, rub the feet with alcohol and have the patient go to bed so as to remove all strain from the feet.

Properly fitted shoes must now be provided. The heels should not be high, for, while very high heels at first seem to give relief, they only hasten the final ruination of the arch. Laced shoes, because they can be more simply applied to the feet, are best.

Artificial Arches. Arches of steel covered with leather have been much in vogue. They are bad. Arches of cork with a small steel spring have been tried to the ​feet and worn inside of the shoes, and are much better, but the cork becomes damp and swells and rots. If a glove of some kind that would resist dampness were put over them in making, the cork arches would be preferable for many feet. The arches now most in use and most advisable are of hard rubber with a small steel spring. These have a considerable elasticity, which the steel arch lacks, but they are liable to snap. These arches should be worn but an hour or two during the first and second week especially, because if they force the arch up abruptly they will cause great pain. They should be worn a few hours each day until the feet have become accustomed to them and the bones have begun to assum a position near that of the original.

In such cases, these arches should not be given up for years, inasmuch as the old trouble is apt to recur.

In severe cases a flannel bandage should be put on the feet after the bath at night; or Faradic electricity for ten minutes be applied to the feet before the bandages. These bandages are to be removed in the morning and proper shoes with arches worn. The sufferer should avoid standing for any length of time, and rest the feet as much as possible.

The treatment just suggested should be repeated every other day for several months to gain any benefit.

As a rule, all treatment in chronic cases gives only relief, since the arches once entirely broken down can rarely be replaced. The patron is therefore compelled to treat the feet with continuous care for the rest of life. If he or she can be taught by the chiropodist to realize early the importance of wearing sensible, well-fitting shoes and to adopt the use of proper arches therein, much good will result, because much ill will be escaped. Neglect of flatfoot eventually leads to intense physical pain ​and mental anguish that at times seems almost unbearable. Therefore, if you have cause to suspect from an examination of a patron's feet that flatfoot is likely to come, or if the stoutness of your patron indicates a liability to a sudden attack of it, advise earnestly against the dangers of neglect. The gratitude of an intelligent patron whom you have saved in time, or whose feet you have set right in the early stages of this common malady is often very great and constant.

Chilblains. Some persons are especially susceptible to frost bite or chilblains of the feet. Lowered vitality, snow water, severe cold and too quick heating of cold feet are the usual causes of chilblains.

At the first symptom, which is usually an itching of the foot, applications of olive oil or almost any handy grease should be put on without much rubbing. After the grease has been gently manipulated into the skin and between the toes, the surplus may be wiped off to avoid too much soiling the stockings. Care must be exercised to keep the feet dry, that is, thoroughly wiped or patted dry after bathing and wiped dry and the stockings frequently changed if the feet perspire.

Some persons appear to be particularly susceptible to chilblains, even a chill dampness causing the condition.

In some cases, the frost bite results in the loss of one or more toes.

When the case is seen early the feet should either be rubbed with snow until the circulation is re-established, or be placed into a cold bath which is warmed gradually. Any sudden application of heat is to be avoided. Even the room in which the patient is to be treated should be cool, so as not to increase the general circulation too readily.

​To relieve any further discomfort, after such a bath or snow rub paint the chilblains with pure guaiacol, Repeal the external use of this several times during the day.

If the frost bites are not severe, they may be painted with equal parts of camphor and belladonna liniment, or with this:

Compound soap liniment enough to make 3 ounces.

If the skin over the parts has become cracked and sore, apply a soothing antiseptic ointment, such as the following:

Mix into an ointment, apply on pieces of lint, and cover with absorbent cotton, or this, applied by binding on the part absorbent cotton or linen bandages soaked in it:

To prevent further danger from frost bite, have the patient wear woollen socks or stockings. The use of an artificial perforated medicated insole is often helpful, as it also is in case of callosities.

Use a hot footbath, to which a handful of sea-salt has been added, each night, and follow after drying with an alcohol rub. Spirits of camphor are also soothing, or a mixture of half alcohol and half spirits of camphor may be used after the bath.

When there is intolerable itching or burning, this mix​ture applied on cotton or bandages to the parts often quickly soothes:

A so-called passive movement or treatment of the soles of the feet is to cross the foot over the opposite knee and with a ruler or short stick strike the sole of the foot a series of rapid light blows, about 30 or 40. The sole of the foot to be protected by a slipper. The bencfit derived chicfly belongs to the capillaries and nerves of the part, the congestion of the capillaries, as in chilblains, is quickly scattered. The movement warms the fect and the cure of chilblains is often speedy and permanent.

Avoid placing the feet upon oven-hot air registers, or putting them near to the fire. Improve the health by proper exercise and food.

Perspiring Feet. While perspiration of the feet is natural, excessive perspiration is a disease depending upon lowered nerve tone in the skin of the feet, or upon general poor health.

To overcome the condition improve the health first of all by proper living and food, healthful exercise, and daily care of the feet as heretofore prescribed.

For the sweating, the following powder will be found locally excellent:

Mix the powders together well and shake about a teaspoonful into the shoes each morning.

​Change the stockings each day, as well as the shoes, wearing each pair alternate days.

Another excellent powder is made of the following:

Mix well together and dust into the shoes as the above.

The following, dusted on freely, will also be found excellent:

or this far simpler preparation often very quickly effective, can be applied with a camel-hair brush or soft sponge:

If the patient suffers from excessive ill-smelling sweating of the feet, the following will he found highly satisfactory:

Mix well and dust into the stockings and into the shoes, following the same general directions for the proper care of the feet as heretofore given.

Hot Feet and Cracks Between Toes. If the cracks between the toes are caused by excessively hot feet, quick relief is obtained in most cases by a prompt appli​cation of zinc ointment over the cracked surfaces, or by powdering thickly with Fuller's earth.

If the feet are bathed nightly in tepid salt water or water into which a little borax has been sprinkled, there is little likelihood of sensitive swollen feet, or of hardened or calloused spots. Re careful when bathing the feet to dry between the toes thoroughly.

Rub any swollen portions of the feet with witch hazel or alcohol, and any hard, calloused places with olive oil or cold cream.