[Report 1950] / School Medical Officer of Health, Salford.

  • Salford (England). Council.
Date:
1950
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1950] / School Medical Officer of Health, Salford. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    20/62 (page 20)
    the foot, ensuring proper support. As the feet of the child have not as yet been distorted good quality shoes on natural form lasts, conforming to the contours of the feet, should be fitted. To ensure a proper fit it will not suffice to ask the child if the shoes are comfortable. The joint spaces in the child’s feet are so large that the foot can be severely squeezed up without causing actual pain, thus permanent damage can be done without it being realised. The weight-bearing foot is usually measured with a standard size stick, two additional sizes being added to obtain the shoe size. Shoes fitted in this way should provide the necessary toe clearance. If shoes have been correctly fitted they should fit snugly round the heel and instep and the hinge of the foot correctly related to the hinge of the shoe. If the healthy development of the child’s feet is to be maintained a proper appreciation of the aforementioned factors by all concerned is essential. Every endeavour is being made by this department to promote the interest of parents, teachers and the child. Attractive window displays with appropriate models, charts, etc., have been used. Posters illustrating faulty and correct posture and simple exercises for the healthy development of the feet have been displayed at schools. Lectures to health visitors is another method that has been used to disseminate appropriate knowledge and advantage has been taken of regular school surveys to obtain the co-operation of the principals and teachers. The fullest advantage is taken of contact with parents at the foot health clinics to utilise that all important personal contact to the fullest extent to gain their willing co-operation and to instruct them. Fij. A. Foot inspection at a school. The regular foot inspection carried out at schools have brought to light many interesting facts (Fig. A) not the least of which is the prevalence of mobile pronated feet (Fig. B). It has been argued by some authorities that a