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4T10NAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
NLfl  DD13SEbT  D
      .,....v.,^ «.iU,xrtix,  yj? MEDICINE
                   Washington
Founded 1836
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Serrice
NLM001352690 
 
■!>f-  3to£- Cfark 
The j^eet
— - *••
How to Take Care of Them
Prof. Alexander <Qlark
  31 SJUTH 18th STREET
      Philadelphia. Pa. 
ONAL IW'Tf OF MEDICINE
  WASHINGTON, D.  C.
   COPYKIGHIED NOV. 14 th 1896
              BY
    PROF. ALEX.  CLARK
31 S.  f £4|tR piyifcpSpHia, Pa. 
PREFACE.
   In the month  of  May,  1876, I
 established,  in  Philadelphia, the
 first Chiropodist and Manicure of
 fice for the  practical treatment of
 diseases of the  feet.   My success
 has prompted me to place before the
 public this   book-letj ;ywfrhich   will
 prove  of  great  value to \ both the
 student and patienW.fpr it is writ-
 ten in the plainest-mjsrfnerpossible,
 that everyone who "njay ^ead it may
 thoroughly   understand  its  con-
tents.
  I was born in  Lynchburg, Va.,
in 1851, and lived there until I was 
8
18 years of age ; during this time I
attended private school, receiving a
common school education.  I have
resided   in  Richmond,  Va.,  and
Cincinnati, Ohio.  About 21 years
ago I came to this  city and opened
my office  at 1315 Chestnut Street,
the  site now  occupied  by Wana-
maker's  great store I was the first
to introduce and practice the pro-
fession of Manicuring in this city.
After experiencing no small diffi-
culties for several years,I have suc-
ceeded, and today have a large and
increasing practice, with branches
in this city and New York.
  During my 21 years  experience,
excepting two years,when I had my
office atMt. Holly, N. J., in the
Arcade  Hotel, I numbered among 
9
 my patients some of our  best  citi-
 zens.
   At my office, which is located at
 3 r S.  Eighteenth  Street, is to De
 seen a fine collection of beautifully
 and curiously shaped  finger nails,
 from my own hands, which I have
 polished until they  resemble deli-
 cate sea shells.
   I manufacture many specialties.
 For my proficiency  and perfection
 attained in the  art, I was awarded
 diplomas at the Exposition  held in
 this city in 1889, and at Wilming-
 ton, Del., 1891.
   Within recent years much atten-
 tion has been  paid  to the  proper
 care and treatment of the  nails on
the hands and feet; and, as I have
often said, persons with fine tastes 
IO
are not considered well dressed, no
matter how rich or costly their ap-
parel,  without  clean  hands and
nails. 
(Sbiropob^.
  Chiropody is  a study  to which
a great many scientific men are de-
voting much attention at present.
The time is not far distant when it
will be one of the branches of scien-
tific knowledge taught in every in-
stitution of learning in this coun-
try.   It is being  dignified every
day because of its great importance
to humanity.
  " The feet serve as a base to the
human  frame,"  says  a French
author, and they  should  thertfore
represent such conditions  of form 
12
and  solidity which their function
demand.
  Well formed feet are a scource of
pride to  men  and  women,  it is
therefore  important   that   they
should know under what conditions
they may develop them.
  In this booklet will be set  forth
such facts as will render it possible
for any person,who reads carefully,
to avoid those pains to which corns
and  bunions so often subject them.
   It is painful  indeed to have dis-
eased feet, because we depend up-
on them to bear our burdens.
   A corn comes from an  injury to
the  flesh, while a bunion comes
from an injury to the joint.   The
corn may induce a bunion, or the
 bunion a corn.  Bunions are rare- 
*3
 ly found except upon  the  joint of
 the great toe.  A hard corn at this
 point may press so severely against
 the  joint  as to injure it, giving
 growth to the bunion, while on the
 other hand the joint being injured
 produces  a  bunion,  which  as it
 grows fills the shoe, causing a fric-
 tion that gives birth to a corn fak-
 ing a flourishing combination.
  A very simple rule, would if fol-
 lowed, rid humanity of much of the
 misery to which these  growths on
 the feet give rise; and he is a bene-
 factor indeed who gives this rule in
 such a form as to cause people  to
 heed  it.  Short shoes injure the
 feet  by  giving birth to ingrowing
 nails, and narrow shoes  cause in-
jury  by   undue  pressure,  both 
14
against the joint of the great,  or
big toe, and  against the little toe.
These injuries  are  the cause  of
much pain.
  In every joint of the body  there
is  a membrane  the  function  of
which is to secrete a fluid that acts
as a lubricant.   In the joint of the
great toe  this membrane is called
the bursa mvcosa,and when injured,
inflames and swells. This swelling
is  commonly known as a bunion.
Thus it is seen that bunions are lo-
cated in the joint, and the swelling
is only its effect and not the bunion
itself.
  A bunion  is  very rarely found
on a foot the great toe of which lies
in a direct line  with the centre  of
the heel.   This position is ihe nor- 
15
 mal  position of the  foot,  and  it
 would be unnatural to have a bun-
 ion come on th? foot without some
 cause.    The   more   the.   great
 toe is twisted to one side, the more
 susceptible is the joint to bunions.
 To effect  a permanent  cure for
 bunions,  it  is  essential  that  the
 great  toe be restore. 1 to its normal
 position.  This can only be done
 by wearing  shoes  of the  proper
 shape, and have the stockings made
 so that they will not bring the toes
 at the tip end too closely  together.
 The construction of the hose is of
just as much importance as that of
 the shoe,  because both play  an im-
 portant part in the  development of
 the diseases of the feet.
  Very  often  diseases  are  con-
tracted by uncleanliness.  What is 
i6
regarded by some persons as corns
are merely inflammation  caused by
accumulations  gathered during  a
period when the feet are not prop-
erly cleansed.  To treat both  the
bunion  and tender feet  use  the
foot-bath quite  frequently to allay
inflammation, and  remove  what-
ever  callous  flesh  there   may
be.  At night bind the bunion with
linen, wrell  saturated with Neat's
foot oil.  Wear a shoe that will al-
low the great toe to resume its nor-
mal position.  The shoe must also
be of some  soft, pliable material.
A felt shoe is the best that can be
procured.  If the swelling is on the
under side of the joint, then use a
thick, soft inner sole  from which a
portion  has been cut away  to  ''fit'1 
J7
 the  bunion.   If,  after this treat-
 ment  has  been followed for a few
 weeks, there is no relief,  then the
 Chiropodist must  be visited, as the
 bunion is  beyond ordinary treat-
 ment.
   It should be strongly  impressed
 upon the mind that the feet require
 quite  as much, if not more, atten-
 tion than the hands, yet  no mem-
 ber of  the body is  so sadly neglect-
 ed.
   If any physical ailment assails
 us, we straightway call in the phy-
 sician ; if we fracture a limb, then
 the surgeon  attends ;  if our teeth
 trouble us, then we  visit him who
 makes a specialty of their treatment
—the  dentist.  Then when our
feet are diseased, why not  visit him 
i8
who makes a specialty of their cure
—the Chiropodist ?
  It is now quite fashionable to
have our hands and our finger nails
cared for by the specialist,for beau-
ty's sake; why not have  our feet
so treated for comfort's sake ?  To
enjoy  comfort  and preserve the
health of the feet,  we cannot be too
careful in the selection of our foot-
wear.  Too often an ill-fitting shoe
will be endured on the  ground of
economy, the wearer saying that
as the  shoes are  bought, his mon-
ey's worth must  be gotten  out of
them,  and so  persists in  wearing
them.  The wearing out of one pair
of ill-fitting shoes  will damage the
feet to a greater extent than can
be  repaired during the lifetime of 
*9
several pairs of perfect-fitting shoes
for unfortunately  the  evil  that
misfits do lives after them.
   Of course the first essential is a
shoe that Jits the  foot;  then come
some little points which,  though
they seem trifling, are of vital im-
portance. Few persons give thought
beyond the fit of a shoe,  and  most
of us overlook as seemingly  small
matters the material from  which
the shoe is made  or how the feet
are clothed.
  Of course to properly qualify for
the  profession  of  Chiropody re-
quires  time and  hard study.  At
least three years should be devoted
to the study of the feet,and as much
practical experience should  be had
to fit one to  enter the  profession. 
20
There  are  many  ailments  which
come under  the attention of the
Chiropodist which are intricate and
perplexing, and  to  treat these re-
quires both knowledge and exper-
ience.
  I hope see the day when every
medical college will  open its doors
and place a chair therein for some
one of our profession   Some of our
profession will have to  occupy  that
place.  I am proud to say my self, a
great deal of my practice is sent to
me by physicians, some of whom I
do not know but they have heard of
me.
  Chiropody  has been practiced for
a great many  years,but I have never
read or  heard of a book  written for
the profession of Chiropody or care
of the feet. 
21
  There are four species of corns,
the  first, and  which  are  more
plentiful than any other, are those
which form on the top of  the toe.
In may cases these corns are found
on every toe except the great toe.
In the treatment of these  the  ut-
most  care  must  be taken.  The
second, which is very often in evi-
dence, is called the soft corn.   It
forms between the toes and is often
caused  by  perspiration.  The  in-
flammation thus caused produces an
odor both annoying and offensive.
The soft corn can be removed with
a scalpel.  After  it  has  been re-
moved apply one-half grain of cal-
omel, then  saturate a  bit of cotton
with Neat's foot  oil.  Change  the
cotton each day until entirely heal- 
22
ed.  The  third,  I   have found
I  designate  as  the  pin  corn,
because it is never larger than the
head of a pin.   It is  very small,
but  deep.  It  often  forms on  the
sole of the foot  and is very pain-
ful.   In order to rid the patient of
this corn, it is necessary  to freeze
the  parts  with ether  or alcohol.
When the parts are  numb the op-
peration should  be performed. The
fourth   to  which  I  have  refer-
red   above,  is  the   one   that
forms on the third joint of the little
toe.  This corn  is  very  susceptible
to the  changes of   the  weather.
When the weather is good it rarely
gives the patient any trouble,  but
when  the   weather  is  unset-
tled  it is  exceedingly  painful  It 
23
throbs  much after the  order of a
tooth-ache and is  almost unbeara-
ble.   In order that this  corn  may
be successfullv treated it is neces-
sary to use a chamois  during the
day and bathe  it freely at night
with liniment.
  I will here give  my  experience
as  regards  the  chilblain.   It is
formed on the ball of the great toe
and  by a very common practice.
When the foot is very cold  and is
quickly  brought  in  contact  with
the fire the chilblain is formed,and
in time gives  one a great deal of
trouble.
  Another form of  disease  very
little  understood is that peculiar
growth developed  under  the toe
nail.   This disease is an abnormal 
24
growth and is dangerous because of
its peculiar formation. In the treat-
ment of this the Chiropodist should
use great care that  the skin is
not  cut  too  deeply, or  poison
of the blood may set in.
  The bone tumor which forms un-
der the nail, the same as  the  un-
dergrowth to which I have referred,
works up through the nail and ap-
pears  like a very tough gristle.  It
is flexible and somewhat  transpar-
ent.  To treat it, it is  necessary to
work it out until the end is reached
and then cut it off.  The treatment
of the bone tumor should be made
by an experienced Chiropodist,and
no amateurish effort should be per-
mitted.
  That cold feet are detrimental to 
25
 good health as well as comfort, eve-
 ry one will admit, and they should
 also know that if the feet  become
 over-heated, it is  quite as  injurious
 to health ; therefore, the  desidera-
 tum is to wear only that which will
 preserve  the  normal temperature
 of the feet.  It is  a  well  known
 fact that woolen garments next the
 body absorb perspiration better than
 linen or cotton, and  thus protect
 the skin  from the chill which ac-
 companies the sudden cooling of the
 body.  In accordance  with this the-
 ory we  often  see writers recom-
 mending woolen  stockings for  the
 feet.  In most cases this  is a great
 mistake, and if followed, results in
 making the feet  tender and very
susceptible to cold.  In the  case of 
26
the woolen garment next the skin,
the porous clothing over the wool-
en garment acts as a  sort of safety
valve, carrying off surplus heat and
moisture,  whereas,  the  woolen
stocking is surrounded  by a  com-
paratively non-porous leather, that
only tends to increase the heat and
moisture of the feet.  If a cloth shoe
is worn, then the woolen  stocking
is in place, for  there is  then an
outlet for the exudation of the feet.
The rule in the selection of hosiery
should be to regulate the amount
of  wool  according to the porosity
of  the leather.   With  porpoise or
patent leather, wear silk or cotton ;
with calf, kangaroo or  ijrain,  wear
a  mixture of cotton and wool or
merino; with cloth   shoes,  wear
woolen stockings. 
27
  A very  important item  in  the
care of the feet is their frequent and
judicious bathing.  In  order  that
the epidermis  be clear of all exu-
dations and the  skin  in healthy
condition, the feet  should  receive
at least a sponge bath in the morn-
ing and a warm water bath at night
The former opens the pores and
stimulates the circulation, while the
latter cleanses  the skin of surplus
epidermis and  allays all inflamma-
tion.   If the feet  are very  tender
and have  a tendency  to perspire
freel3', then it might be well to oc-
casionally add a little salt and alum
to the water.   If  the  perspiration
h profuse and  attended by odori-
ferous exhalations,sprinkle a little
pulverized tannin in the shoes once
a week. 
28
  In  giving this  advice  I do not
claim  originality.   I  only  give
those words of wisdom  which are
best known  to  the physician, and
if followed I am confident happiness
would  be sure  to those who suffer
from these ailments.
  Finger nails  and  toe nails are
nothing more than hardened forms
of the epidermis.  When examined
near their origin they are  found to
consist of cells, which gradually
dry into scales.   These remain co-
herent after their formation.  Of
course constant  changes are taking
place every hour,and these changes
are either for the better or worse
for the patient.
  In caring for the finger nails or
the toe nails the edge of  the cuti- 
29
cle should never be pared with any
instrument, nor the  surface of the
nail scraped, the nails should be
cleaned only with the nail brush to
have  them at their best, aided, of
course by soap and water.  An ob-
servance of these simple rules will
prevent much  useless trouble with
the nails of hands and feet.
  When we wear a shoe that is too
short for the foot, the  end of  the
nail is brought against the leather.
This interrupts its forward growth
and as new material  is added to it,
it spreads out  on the sides and  be-
comes unusually thick.    It then
presses upon  the soft parts of the
toe, and is said to "grow into the
flesh," and is termed an ingrowing
toe  nail. 
3°
  These ingrowing nails  are very
painful and give people a great deal
of trouble.   The anxiety attending
an  operation  is  intense,  and it
should  be the  constant  care  of
every one to ward against  them as
much as possible.
  Should the case be a  severe one
and attended by proud flesh, then
it is a case for the surgeon, and
should receive immediate attention,
or the proud flesh will  soon attain
such growth as to require the re-
moval of the nail, which is a more
painful  operation than that of re-
moving the toe or a limb.  The or-
dinary ingrowing nail can be cured
by a little time and close attention,,
First of all, the cause must  be re-
moved and a shoe worn that is very 
31
soft and pliable, affording  plenty
of room for the  free movement of
the toe.  Next soak the foot well
in warm water, to remove inflama-
tion and render the nail  pliable.
Do not cut the nail, particularly at
the corners.   Press small  pellets
of lint as far under the corner of the
nail as possible without causing
pain,  and wrap the  t;e very  lightly
with linen  well saturated with gly-
cerine.  Dress the toe at least twice
a day, replacing the lint, and en-
deavor  each   time  to slightly in-
crease its  quantity.   When  the
nail becomes  long, cut  it   so that
the corners will  project beyond the
center.
  Another  remedy  that  has been
found to be quite effectual is to cut 
32
a small notch at the center  of  the
nail, leaving  the corners square.
Then begin about half way back
on the nail and  scrape  toward the
notch until the nail  is  quite thin.
This leaves the  nail a thin strip
through  the  center and  relieves
the pressure from the sides.
  The simplest  remedies for feet
diseases are often the best.   Many
remedies offered for sale by special-
ists are dangerous  and others are
of no use  whatever.  I have de-
voted 26 years to the study of Chir-
opody and I can speak  from prac-
tical experience.
   If my remedies are  used  as  re-
commended, I am sure that the de-
sired effects will obtain.  I present
here  a full list of  all my specifics
and will advise their application in
all cases herein mentioned. 
"Useful   {preparations.

           —♦♦♦--------

        3Bca3iUan toilet Cream.
  The most elegant and delicate prepara-
tion ever compounded  for the face and
hn Is.   This preparation should be used
in place  of water.  Price, 50c cents per
Bo tie.

        »ra3»ian Gotlet TKflasb.
Fjr the face and  hands.  This prepara-
tion should be used in the place of soap.
Price, 50 cents per Box.
       3Bra3iUan DeliotropaHne.
  For softening  the  cuticle around  the
matrice of the nails.  It prevents the nails
from becoming  harsh and brittle. This
preparation is superior to any  used. 
34
          JBra3Ulan IRosg Cip.
  For  tinting the  nails,  in connection
with the Brazilian  Nail Powder, which,
when properly used, according to the di-
rections given on each box. will preserve
and beautify the nails. This will produce
a brilliant and lasting polish, and in con-
nection with my skillful manner -of treat-
ment, will render them smooth and  of a
beautiful tint.
         JSra3fItan mail JBleacb.
  For Bleaching and  cleansing the nails,
it will render them like ivory
           J6ra3tltan powoer.
  For  entirely  eradicating perspiration
and removing all offensive odor  from the
feet,  hands  and  all parts of  the body
without  any inconvenience.   Price,  25
and 50 cents per box.

        3Sra3tlian  Corn TRemcCn?.
  Price, 25 cents per bottle. 
35
       JBrajiltan  ffrost liniment.
   For frosted feet, hands and ears. Price,
50 cents and $1.00 per Bottle.
    JBra3tHan iRbeumatism ©tntment.
  For external use only.  Price,  50 cents
and $1.00 per Bottle.

    3Bra3ilian Corn ano Cbllblaln Salve.
  Price, 50, 75 cents, and $1.00 per Box.

          JSra^ilian XClbftening.
  For softening the hands and face, ren-
dering them soft and velvet like.   Price,
50 cents per Box.

          brilliant mail polisb.
  One of the most effective,  perfect  and
harmless nail powders  compounded.   It
will produce a brilliant and lasting polish
upon the nails, and in connection with
my  skillful manner of treatment,  will
render them smooth and of  a  beautiful 
36
tint.  All should take the same pains to
have beautiful nails that they  would  to
have pearly teeth.

               JFor Sale.
  Brilliant  Nail  Polish, Nail  Cleaners,
Nail Files, Nail Scissors and Nail Cham-
ois.  Complete Manicure  Sets made to
order, from $1.50 to $50.00

    JCcautifvl jfinger lHaile and "toanos.
  The hands beautified, the nails shaped,
preserved  and  polished  to the highest
condition of beauty.   Corns,  ingrowing
nails,  frosted feet, chilblains, bunions,
callous flesh and  all diseases of the  feet
successfully treated without pain or draw-
ing of blood, and without  any inconven-
ience to the patient.  All orders prompt-
ly  attended to.   Terms  moderate  and
within reach of all. 
             IReferenceg.
  The names of five thousand  ladies and
gentlemen can be seen at my office,among
them, many of the  highest  medical and
society references.
J i'si-actions   Given,  for  a   Small
   Amount, to Anyone Wishing to
       l.eam the Skill of Mani-
        cure and Chiropodist. 
          fll>\>  Uerms

  Sometimes persons inquire :' 'Why do I
have  to  pay  in advance ?"   In reply I
would say that the reason is, many of my
patients living hundreds of miles away
are entire strangers to me, and I having
no reference as a protection,am compelled
to take this precaution.   In  the manu-
facture of my specifics,  which  are pro-
duced without reference to cost, my ex-
pense is enormous.  My experience for
the past twenty-one years has  been to
keep in the front rank of the profession
of Manicure and Chiropody.  I devote all
my energy and study to the utmost good
and  I treat all alike, impartially, fully
realizing that I confer an untold blessing
on those  I cure. Such evidences increases
my practice and determines  my  perma-
nent success.   Humanity  has prompted
me to do the very best possible. 
Please ask your Druggist for
    PROF. A CLARK'S SPECIFICS an! take no other

Office Hours :  From 8  to 10 A. n., 1 to 4
                6 to 8  P. A*. 


 
 
   NATIONAL LIBRARV OF MEDICINE












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