Observations on forty-five cases of flat-foot : with particular reference to etiology and treatment / by Royal Whitman.

  • Whitman, Royal, 1857-1946.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on forty-five cases of flat-foot : with particular reference to etiology and treatment / by Royal Whitman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    the latter from rolling over. Anything that will prop up the arch will usually relieve the pain, and various means have been devised to this end. For example, pads of horsehair, India rubber or felt placed under the arch have been used. The objections to these are that it is difficult to keep them in place, and that they change their shape constantly, so that they only par- tiolHr on/^nmrklioVi tlioir TMivrif^oo anH avo nnnr»mf/-»T»fo_ The importance of teaching a proper walk, both in the prevention and treatment of flat-foot, cannot be exaggerated ; that the correct position of the feet is with the toes pointing straight ahead — a position which necessitates muscular activity — as distinct from the attitude of excessive divergence of the toes, which allows the walk of muscular inactivity and weakness shown in flat-foot. he does not state that he has employed it. 1 should doubt its efficacy, even in a mild case, and it must be so unsightly that few patients could be induced to use it. Dr. Morton, of Philadelphia, advocates the use of a plantar spring with an inner flange, which, expand- ing under weight, will allow of the natural movements of the foot during walking or standing — an advantage which is claimed for the elastic bands which have been described. I think the necessity for such expan- sion of the support under weight has been exaggerated for the following reasons : If an imprint of a normal foot which rests without weight upon the floor be compared with one of a foot 13 W. J. Walshara. Lancet, January 26, 1884. i< F. King Green. Lancet, December 26,1885.