Page:Why the Shoe Pinches.djvu/48

 a c ; the latter should then be carried out in continuation (a d) of the line b a which will now extend to e, and b e will then represent the true length of the foot in question.

It is usual in all shoes of even moderate strength to make the heel a little higher by means of what is called a heel-piece.

These heel-pieces are generally of some little use, especially in dirty weather, and we cannot wholly deny their right to existence. But, at the same time, they ought to be as low as possible, and heels an inch thick, as is at present very commonly the case, have very serious disadvantages indeed.

The weight of the body is by this means thrown in a disproportionate ratio on the toes, the joints of which are consequently overstrained. Moreover, with a high heel the sole is so oblique in its direction that the foot must constantly be gliding forwards and forcibly pressing the toes into the point of the shoe. The toes therefore, even when the shoe is sufficiently long, are subjected to the same injuries and disfigurations as if it were too short, and the effects are doubly hurtful, when the form of the sole is also incorrect.

High heels, especially if they are also very small, are