High-Heeled Boots

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 19, 1906

High-Heeled Boots

SHOULD our women-folk persist in wearing nonsensical, high-heeled shoes, they will of necessity degenerate into indoor creatures, fit for nothing except to sit about and be looked at. The weight of the body should fall on the arch of the foot. This is the decree of nature. So nature constructed there a beautiful arch, perfect in every part of its mechanism.

Now, the high heel throws the weight of the body on the toes and ball of the foot. These parts were not intended to sustain this weight. They are not adequate for the purpose. Therefore, the ligaments that bind the toes together naturally spread under the undue tension, and transfer their strain to the nerves. Of course the nerves soon get out of gear, and the inevitable result is nervous trouble.

Nature intended that the weight of the body should be distributed in almost a straight line. The bones of the leg bear this weight, and the muscles take the strain. The high-heeled shoe throws everything below the waist line out of poise.

Of course the straight line that nature provided for is altogether lost. The muscles of the legs try to accommodate themselves to the unnatural order of affairs, and as a consequence, bow out. Athletic sports become practically impossible, and the freedom of outdoor life ceases.

The shoe for a woman, as well as a man, to wear is the broad shoe with flat heels and sensible, projecting soles.— Selected.