The Tropics

Care Of The Feet In

|T cannot be too often emphasised that the *• care of the feet in the tropics is of paramount importance.

Generally speaking, the feet are the most overworked part of the body. They are stressed and strained by occupation, mode of living and dress; therefore, they func tion under most unfavourable conditions at times.

Care should be taken that they be bathed with regularity each evening after work. This should be done with a moder ately strong solution of permanganate of potash, or Lysol. Personally, I prefer the latter. Should the feet not be given special care and attention, then weakness and discomfort will surely follow.

Tight fitting boots or shoes, short socks and stockings should be avoided at all costs —in fact, anything that is undersized should not be worn. These are contri buting causes of corns, bunions, ingrow ing toenails and weakened arches, ankles, etc. Due to the above conditions, our feet have become abnormal in many respects, and people suffer untold agony through their own carelessness.

The foot consists of a group of twenty six bones. These form four separate and distinct arches. The foot functions in two ways. It acts as an agent of locomotion, and as a shock absorber at the same time, taking care of the more delicate organs of the body, trunk, etc.

There are many and varied types of feet. There is not one type or make of boot or shoe which can be adapted to all feet. This fact should be borne in mind when purchasing footwear. One that tits someone else well, may not be suitable for your requirements.

The feet should be kept in a parallel position when walking, and not with the toes pointing outward. This only tends to weaken the strongest feet, by throwing them out of balance. A child with strong normal feet will always walk pigeon-toed.

Should he, on the other hand, “walk with toes out,” it indicates weak or defective feet.

The water should not be too hot when bathing the feet, as it is liable to injure the delicate skin, and this is just as im portant as the skin on your face.

Always cut the nails straight across.

They are to protect the extremities of your feet. All wounds and blisters should be immediately attended to, as failure may mean other serious disorders. Bathed in tepid water, with the application of per manganate crystals or Lysol, a good strong solution of iodine should be applied to all cuts, scratches and wounds, and then zinc or some other soothing ointment applied.

Ingrowing toenails and other inflictions should be treated by a skilled person. The skin should not be exposed to infection, as it is likely to be under unskilled home treatment. Always sterilise your scissors, tweezers, and other instruments before and after use. Boiling them is best, or dip ping them into strong Lysol and hot water is satisfactory. Always wash your hands carefully, before and after treating any ailments of the feet. A good brand of car bolic soap is first rate.

Here is a good prescription for a dusting powder for ground itch, tinea, heat rash, eczema, etc: Equal parts of zinc, starch and boracic powder, throughly mixed, and applied between the toes and affected parts before retiring. This preparation can also be made into a paste, if so desired, by the application of a little water.

The affected parts and surrounding skin of any wounds can be bathed effectively with methylated spirits.

You should exercise regularly, as most of the foot ailments commence from im proper standing or walking. The body should not be jarred by descending forcibly on the heels.

Always have on hand a good supply of bandages, iodine, permanganate, zinc and sulphur ointments, to combat any ailments which may arise. lodine socks (or inner soles) are splendid for aching feet, and can be had for 1/3 pair, plus postage. The writer will be glad to furnish the address to anyone in terested.

N. C. Hunt.

Wainunu, Fiji.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Land arrived in New Zealand from Tonga on leave by the Matua in November. Mr. Land is officer in-charg© of the radio station at Nukua lofa, Mr. J. (“Tom”) Knight, an old resident of Fiji, died in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, on November 7, at the age of 72. For some years he was employed at the sugar mill at Navua, Viti Levu.

Captain W. G, Preece, harbourmaster at Nauru, arrived in Sydney on leave by the Maunganui on November 30, accom panied by his wife. He has been on the island since 1919.

Miss Mabel Yandell, of Western Samoa, who had been visiting Sydney on a health trip, sailed from Australia on her return to Apia, via ;New Zealand, on December 12.