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CHAP. XIV.] foot, while allowing for the softness, elasticity, and mobility of the parts, and for the increasing size of the foot, both in length, breadth, and thickness. Yet this is just the time when the little one's feet are crammed into ready-made boots or shoes utterly unfitted for their requirements. Over-large stockings form into folds on the feet, and are very uncomfortable, while over-large boots chafe the stocking and the foot, and are liable to turn over in walking, causing stumbling and sometimes a sprain of the ankle. Throughout the whole period of growth stockings and boots should be worn as large as possible, without rucking or shuffling. They should be as light as possible, so as not to encumber the growing muscles, and the material of which they are made should be elastic. They must be given up when they begin to pinch the toes, and turn them from their normal position.

Both feet should be invariably carefully measured when fitted for boots, as very frequently, although no difference between them may be apparent to the eye, the respective measurements will be found to differ considerably. I have often heard it said by bootmakers that one foot is generally larger than the other.

Stockings, if in a minor degree than boots, are still to a great extent responsible for deformities of the toes.

The woollen shoe or sock for the baby is too often narrowed to a point at the toes, or at best rounded to the shape of a blunt wedge, so that the