The most important requisite for the pedestrian is mobility. This in turn depends upon properly conditioned feet and a covering permitting the greatest ease in action and freedom from injury. So important is this physical item in the case of any one who walks that it may be taken as a criterion of one’s ability to cover ground. Granting other things equal, the successful army is the one which marches best; hence one of the greatest military problems of the day is a study of the proper care and housing of man’s pedal extremities. The measure of efficiency of the draft horse on icy pavements, of northern Indian packers over unbroken woods portages, and of the amateur pedestrian’s initial hike over interurban roads depends essentially upon being properly shod.
In a study of the foot we find it composed mostly of bones and that their movements are managed by a complex arrangement of muscles, in nearly every case by several sets working in unison. Any mechanical displacement of one bone throws not only all bones out of harmonious working order but also disarranges their accompanying muscles and the nerves attached to them, resulting in inefficient action and in radiating pains. The fleshy parts of the foot are at the sole, ball, on the bottom of the heel and along the outer border and they play the part of protection where it is most needed. The bottom flesh forms pads in walking and supporting the body, insuring springiness and lessening the jar which is incidental to locomotion. Shoes that do not fit the fleshy parts of the foot properly cause friction when walking and concomitant aches and pains.
Nature intended man to walk with bare feet but following the dictates of necessity as his environment demanded foot protection and later of an all too dominant dictate of fashion he took to wearing foot covering. Since the feet do an immense amount of work Nature has so constructed them that they will adapt themselves to many conditions. It is our duty to adjust the foot covering to assist Nature in protecting the foot.
Commonly the fitting of shoes is influenced by a consideration of fashion and style and not comfort, with a resulting condition which most people cheerfully accept, thinking that by so doing their feet will appear small and neat but really causing a cramping and narrowing of the ball and toes, with possible chafing, blistering, callus or corns--conditions incompatible with walking efficiency.