the muscles and the consequent reduction of the foot to a state of comparative inactivity. The phalanges, or bones of the toes, and the metatarsals, or long bones of the instep, suffer from the narrowness of their coverings, and the tarsals, the bones at the back of the instep and heel, are thrown out of their proper position by high heels.
The natural position of the bones is shown in a side view in Plate 6, Fig. A, while a glance at Fig. B in the same plate will convince the beholder of the bad position produced by a high heel, which alters the whole balance of the body. The arch is well known to be the strongest form of support, and the arches of the feet are consequently adapted to be the best supports for the weight of the body. An arch has level abutments and a centre or keystone, which is represented in the foot by that bone with which the bones of the leg articulate. Now if the abutments of an arch are not level the position of the keystone is altered and the arch at once becomes unstable. Thus it is when a high heel raises one abutment of the arch of the foot.2[1] The strength of the natural support is lost, the centre of gravity is changed, and the whole method of walking has to be altered in order to maintain the equilibrium. Hence people who wear very high heels take small, mincing steps, are apt to totter and stumble in their walk, and are on the whole most ungraceful in their movements. This is one of the chief reasons why we see so few people who really walk well, for the boots of the
- ↑ 2 See Plate 6.
