p. 11 | TOUGHENING THE FEET

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 14, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 45.

TOUGHENING THE FEET.

Those who wear boots or shoes the year round, in almost every case have tender feet. A long walk tires them, and the friction of the shoes or stockings blisters the skin, and they have no end of trouble. Now the feet are such important members that they should always be kept in first-rate condition, of course; one of the best remedies is going barefooted a little while every day. Pastor Kneipp advises this for health’s sake, and has set thousands of rich and fashionable people at it all over Europe and a few in America. They are advised to walk on wet grass, on stones, and in the snow even in winter for a very few moments. This latter is a very severe remedy, suited only to those who have robust minds and plenty of will power. Those who can not do these things are made to walk in their bath tubs with a few inches of water in them. A foot-bath tub answers every need.

Still another remedy is to dip the feet in cold water at night and let them remain a moment; the next morning to dip them in again, letting them remain a few seconds longer; the next morning keep them in a little longer yet, and continue this till you can leave them in a minute or so without taking cold. In this way a person can become accustomed to the cold water, and he will not take cold from this cause. But be it thoroughly understood that the “hardening” must be done carefully; while in the water and after removing them the person must rub and massage them with his own hands for some time, and dry them well. The toes must be stretched, pulled, and separated thoroughly, so the blood will go into and out of them rapidly. In this way any delicate foot may be hardened, health promoted, and colds prevented or cured.—Journal of Hygiene.