Prevention of Deformed Toes and Joint—New Forms of Sole—Eureka
Last—True Standard of Taste—How Distorted Great Toe may be
Straightened—Ancient and Medieval Foot apparel—Suggestions.
Let us next endeavour to ascertain what shall be done toward
substituting an improved form of covering for the present false
style, as a method of _preventing_ distortion of the toes and the
evils connected with it; and also inquire how far these deformities
can be relieved by proper effort after they have been induced.
The shape of sole previously described and illustrated (Fig. 7) is
taken to be as near the absolutely correct one as anything that can
now be devised, and to be approximated and realized as soon in the
future as possible. It is true that people should be capable of
recognizing its correctness, and of adopting it practically, at once;
and, doubtless, there are some who can conscientiously disregard the
strong tendency to conformity with the prevailing false styles, and
wear a boot or shoe which represents the right idea, or one as near
to it as it is possible for them to obtain. All such are earnestly
advised to take this course, and continue it, both for their own
good, and as a means of developing a sentiment in favour of the
change.
But there are other people, in larger numbers, who will not be
persuaded to attempt so much of a change without some encouragement
from popular sympathy. These must not only be taught to know what is
right and wrong in the matter, but be led to adopt the right through
gradually approximating steps, that do not vary so far from the style
at any time prevalent as to be unpleasantly _odd_. The eye must
become accustomed to different forms, and first to those that deviate
least from the present fashion. Bearing this in mind, what is the
best improvement that can be made generally acceptable?
Our principal care is the preservation of the shape of the great toe
and inside joint, not forgetting that the little toe is also entitled
to care; still, the great one is much the most important, and if
only one can be properly attended to, the little one must wait its
opportunity. Its deformity consists in being bent and twisted under,
and though the pressure causing this may also develop corns, and
injury of the toe joint, the joint itself is not forced out of place,
nor is the bad effect so common, nor so serious as in the case of the
large one.
[Illustration: FIG. 14.—COMPROMISE.]
[Illustration: FIG. 15.—COMMON SOLE.]
Figure 14 represents the sole of a crooked last, such as may
occasionally be seen in use by some of our best boot-makers at the
present time. Contrasted with the one beside it, which is a pretty
fair specimen of right-and-left lasts generally, it is evidently
nearer to the true form. In it, the line drawn from the middle of the
heel to the middle of the ball region passes through the toe nearest
the outside corner, leaving the greater space at the inside; while in
the other the line passes through the toe at the middle, thus making
it virtually only a _straight_ last, hollowed out a little the most
at the inner side. For the purpose of giving the great toe a straight
position, it is seen at a glance that the form of Fig. 14 is far
superior to that of Fig. 15, though the tendency to distortion would
still remain with it to a considerable extent. For the sake of a name
to distinguish it, this may be called the _Compromise_. It is not so
much in advance of the common styles that many people would notice
the difference at all, and last-makers and shoe manufacturers might
adopt it, and with a slight effort force it into general use, with
great benefit to those feet that are still tolerably well-shaped, if
not to their own direct advantage. At least, the acceptance of it is
one step in the right direction for those who are not ready to make a
more radical innovation.
Our next form is something better. The reason for it is the rule
given, some fifty or sixty years ago, by Dr. Peter Camper, of
Amsterdam, who wrote an essay on the subject, in which he stated
_that the proper form of shoe was such as to allow all the toes to
lie parallel with a line drawn through the middle of the sole from
heel to toe_.
This, though not perfect, was, considering its date, a pretty good
standard; but the shoemakers, if they were ever governed by it
at all, have transgressed it since, until its intention has been
entirely defeated. They have done this by narrowing the toe of the
sole so much that the toes of the foot, instead of lying parallel to
each other and to the line of the foot’s length, have had their ends
drawn together at an angle till they were compelled even to lie one
over the other.
When the toes lie as closely together as they can without
crowding—parallel, the middle ones at least, to the line of the
foot’s length—there is but little variation on the inside of the foot
from a straight line. The cuts 16 and 17 represent, one a foot in
which the toes are drawn together just enough to touch, and one as
they usually appear in the common boot.
[Illustration: FIG. 16.—TOES PARALLEL.]
[Illustration: FIG. 17.—TOES DRAWN TO AN ANGLE.]
Here it may be observed that in Fig. 16 the lines drawn past the
sides of the toes are nearly parallel to the line through the foot’s
centre, while in Fig. 17 they quickly form an angle with it.
Dr. Camper’s rule, strictly interpreted, would have made a
right-and-left last of the most extreme character, but by narrowing
the toe from inside and outside alike, it was converted into one no
better than straight. What is now proposed is, that we take this
rule and amend it by providing _that when the inside of the sole has
the right form to let the great toe lie parallel to the line through
the middle, any further narrowing of the toe shall be done from the
outside only_; and as the ball of the last projects slightly over the
bottom or sole, it is conceived that the inside margin of the _sole_
should be nothing less than straight, and parallel to the line of the
foot’s length, from the ball forward, in order to give the great toe
the position claimed. This would make a last a little more straight
on the inside than the one described as the _Compromise_. We will
call it the _Excelsior_, and represent it by a diagram, Fig. 18.
[Illustration: FIG. 18.—SOLE OF EXCELSIOR LAST.]
Our reason for insisting that the toe be narrowed only from the
outside is the fact already stated, that the consequences of bending
the great toe are far worse than those of bending the little ones.
Besides, it is not intended to draw them together any farther than
to make them touch, and this can be done without distorting any of
them, by leaving the great one in its natural position, or nearly
so, and making all the curve of the sole on the outside. The outside
toes being shortest, they permit this to be done without bending
them more than a very little. Of course it must be remembered that
the sole cannot be narrowed beyond a certain limit without injury to
the foot. A medium width of toe is the narrowest that is allowable,
consistently with the object we have in view.
The _last-maker_ will understand that the thickest part of the toe of
the last is not to be at the middle, but at the inside, in order to
give room for the great toe in the straight-ahead position claimed
for it. At the ball the wood is expected to project, as in all lasts,
very slightly over the bottom.
This is, perhaps, the best form—the nearest approach to that of the
foot—which is practically attainable while the modern boot and shoe
retain their present peculiarity, of a sole narrower at the toe
than at the ball. On the whole, it is probably equal or superior to
that recommended by Prof. Meyer, for though his is more crooked,
giving larger latitude to the great toe, it is a question if it does
not, by the extreme curve, tend to cramp the little ones more than
necessary, thus making a balance between a good point and a bad one.
Prof. Meyer’s form may be best for certain feet, and for a particular
purpose, as will be explained in speaking of the remedy for crooked
toes, but for general purposes we have more faith in this. If it
were adopted in general use, and more especially for the shoes of
children, and those who have not yet seriously deformed their feet
at the joint, the next generation would show that crooked toes,
soft corns, inverted nails, big joints, and bunions had been almost
abolished. Such a result is entirely worthy of a noble effort on the
part of those who furnish foot coverings. Such an effort, too, when
made, will surely be seconded by the growing intelligence of the
whole people, who will be constantly learning a better appreciation
of the reform. It is to be hoped that manufacturers and wearers will
both see what is for their credit and interest, and unite in securing
its realization.
But it will not do to be content with what is, after all, only
a rough approximation to the perfect form, for, superior as is
the Excelsior last to all the existing shapes, it is still but a
transition to one more complete and more permanently enduring. Like
all the others, it fails to give the outside toes a chance to keep
their natural form. The foot, in its normal condition, does not very
closely resemble any of the shapes that have here been illustrated.
It is only after it has been distorted that there appears any real
fitness between it and the shoe. The forward part of the foot is
wider than the middle; but this fact is not recognized in making
its covering. Even Prof. Meyer is no more consistent than others,
as may be seen by contrasting one of the specimens of natural feet
which he shows us with the sole of a shoe such as he would have it
clothed with. As exhibited in the cuts below, is there any good
correspondence between the two, except that both have a general
straightness upon the inside?
[Illustration: FIG. 19.—MEYER’S FORM OF SOLE.]
[Illustration: FIG. 20.—NATURAL FOOT.]
The foot is a wide one, and the shoe-sole rather narrow; but this
need not be taken into account, for the same want of harmony would
exist if the widths were alike. A narrow foot, however, may be seen
by reference to Fig. 8, in a preceding chapter.
The only way out of this awkward inconsistency is the acceptance
of the form before suggested, and here reproduced (Fig. 21) to be
compared with its competitors.
[Illustration: FIG. 21.—EUREKA.]
This has all the merits of any of them, and the additional one that
it allows as much freedom to the toes at the _out_side of the foot as
to those at the _in_side. All have a chance, provided other things
are as they should be, to develop normally and to perform their
functions without interference. There _is_ an agreement between
_it_ and the _foot_, not only on one side, _but on both sides and
all around_. It represents completely the idea of Dr. Camper, which
cannot be done by anything of the narrow-toed form. By a very slight
addition to the width from the ball forward, on the inside, it also
represents the idea of Prof. Meyer. So far as we can see, it fulfils
all the requirements that can be made concerning the _form of sole_.
It is proposed to name it the _Eureka_.
If a requirement were made that it should agree with the present
popular taste, this pattern would signally fail. But though it does
not do this, still, if it corresponds with the true form of the foot,
and possesses the merits claimed, its excellence will, in time, be
acknowledged, and public taste will come to see its _elegance_ also.
If there is any reason at all why a thing is beautiful, that reason
consists in its fitness or propriety; and if there is any shape more
fit and proper for a sole that is to be trod upon by an undeformed
foot, will some one discover it and make it known.
Taste comes, at least to a great extent, from education. The teaching
of China creates a taste which admires a short, stumpy, small,
useless foot, as beautiful on a lady. In more enlightened countries
a more intelligent taste condemns such a foot as anything else than
elegant. A still better educated taste will admire only one that is
entirely normal; and to bring opinion up to this standard is the
object of effort. People are to learn that pointed toes and big
joints are not natural; that they do not come of themselves, and
that the foot-gear which produces them cannot have any propriety or
beauty. The various long-toed, narrow-toed, broad-toed, stub-toed,
short-heeled, thick-soled, stiff, awkward things that are worn by
the masses must be seen to be, as they are, unfit coverings to be
put upon a decent human foot. Shapes, styles, and fashions must be
judged by their harmony or want of harmony with natural requirements,
and accepted or rejected accordingly. There must be less deference
to an unreasoning, arbitrary opinion, and more of original thought
and independent action; though it could hardly be supposed that for
such a matter any great amount of personal independence would be
required. A different set of views and tastes will thus, however,
be substituted for the present ones, as the work of time and a more
general knowledge of the subject.
There is no difficulty in starting a revolutionary movement. Any of
the proposed forms of lasts can be obtained from the last-makers
of the large cities—all but the Eureka very readily—and often the
shoemaker himself, if ingenious, can provide them for individual feet
_by altering some of those now in use_.
This is not so very difficult when the last has sufficient thickness
at the toe. At the inside, from the ball forward, it may be shaved
or rasped off enough to give a plane surface half an inch or more
in width, a shoulder being cut at the commencement near the ball.
Successive layers of firm, solid sole-leather are then pegged or
nailed very strongly to the wood without splitting it, each thickness
separately, to make the work more firm, until enough are on to bring
the corner out where it should be, when they are rasped into the
form required. Nails must not be driven in the outside pieces. The
opposite side of the toe may be narrowed, curved, and thinned to
give the whole the proper shape.
There is no reason why those persons who are capable of appreciating
the doctrine of this treatise should not set an example worthy of
imitation; and as the abuses complained of are so very common, it
is quite probable they might soon find themselves in the company of
a large number. Ultimately, it is expected that something not less
perfect than the form last proposed, and having all the qualities
desirable in a model shoe, will be universally adopted.
There will still remain to be discovered a mode of covering the foot
which will secure to it all its natural freedom. What this will be it
is not easy, just now, to tell. Possibly it may take the peculiarity
of the glove, and provide separate apartments for each of the toes,
becoming thus a kind of foot-glove, with a flexible sole, separated
between the toes, and which will allow them to bend or spread, and
the whole foot to lengthen or contract without hindrance whenever
occasion may require. It will be an article of luxury, rather than
otherwise, and there is no prospect of its immediate production. Yet
such an one cannot, without difficulty, perhaps, be made sufficiently
thick to be a good protection against dampness and the coldest
weather. Some compromise, with the existing style of boot will become
necessary, though a shape better adapted to the comfort of the toes
may be given to the forward part of it, as by the time it is made,
the cramping, narrow-toed boot will be out of favour; and this brings
us again to the Eureka as the most appropriate form.
* * * * *
What, now, can be done toward the cure of crooked toes and enlarged
joints after they have been induced? The way of their prevention
is already made plain, but to remove the disfigurement after it
has become a settled thing is a much more difficult matter. The
toe must be forced back to its former position, and kept there
by a steady, constant pressure, and the parts be allowed time to
gradually re-adapt themselves and grow fixed in their proper shape.
The straightening of the toe will allow the bones to come nearer
together at the joint, and this, when not sore, may perhaps be pushed
back slightly, toward the middle of the foot, by the pressure of a
narrow boot. As this process is the exact opposite of that by which
the deformity is developed, it ought, with proper time, patience, and
thoroughness, to be tolerably successful. Dr. Meyer even leaves it to
be inferred that toes which are not badly distorted will gradually
re-assume their primary position _without any assistance_, provided
the shoe is of the right form, with plenty of room at the end, and
the stocking is not allowed to prevent.
For straightening the toe it would seem that some efficient
mechanical contrivance could be easily arranged, but as yet there
is nothing entirely satisfactory. To be completely successful it
ought to be something that can be easily fastened to the bare foot,
so that all the toes may be brought to their proper place before
covering with the stocking. But there is a difficulty in making the
little toe, or even more than one of them, act as a point of support
from which a force can be brought to bear against the great one. So,
while unable to do better, this stationary point must be found in the
sole of the shoe. The best thing we have been able to discover is a
simple plate of metal, standing upright between the great toe and
its neighbour, so securely fastened to the insole as to prevent the
toe from inclining toward the side. Of course nothing can be done in
a boot or shoe of the common form, as in such a one the toe cannot
be straightened by any means whatever. The last on which it is made
must be one like that described as the _Excelsior_, or, what is still
better for this case, one of the form proposed by Dr. Meyer. There
is no danger of going to an extreme in so shaping the last as to
turn the toe inward, because, the toe, after being fastened at its
end, tends strongly to resume its old, deformed position by pushing
the upper over the edge of the sole at the joint. It thus partially
defeats the object, and will be straightened less than the form of
the last (and shoe) indicates that it ought to be. Hence it is well
not to let the _ball of the last_ project over the bottom, and thus
try to keep back the joint from pushing over the upper of the shoe.
And, even if the last is crooked inward at the toe a little _more_
than Meyer’s rule directs, there will be no harm. It should also be
well hollowed or curved on the inside, at the region back of the
ball and above the shank. The more the wood is taken off here, the
more the foot will be thrown toward the outside of the shoe, or made
to tread outside, and this will somewhat counterbalance the tendency
which the toe has, when the end of it is made stationary, to push the
joint and whole foot toward the inside. The crookedness will appear
extreme, and perhaps ridiculous, but it will be found in practice
that it takes a _very_ crooked shoe to make a big toe straight.
We believe, however, that this tendency of the toe and joint to keep
their old position by treading over inside can be counteracted by
putting a low counter or stiffening of sole-leather into the upper of
the shoe at the ball, in the same way a similar one is inserted at
the heel. Or, if the joint is too sensitive to be touched by stiff
leather, let the stiffening piece be placed just back of the ball,
in the shank. The top part of it must be thinned, while the bottom
part remains thick and firm. It has not been fairly tried, but if the
joint is not sore it can hardly fail to be effective.
It should be a _false_ insole to which the partition or separator is
fastened, so that it can be easily changed, because there is some
difficulty in fitting it exactly right the first time, and, besides,
the wearer may wish, even when it suits as well as possible, to
remove it and give the toe a resting-spell in its old position; while
if the partition is secured to the proper insole of the boot, it must
remain there, whether right or wrong, and in the latter case the
boot will be worthless.
A strip of _thick tin_, half or three-fourths of an inch wide, and
two and a half inches long, is all that is required for the material.
If preferred, it may be of thin sheet iron or sheet brass. Any
tinsmith will furnish it, bent and doubled into the form represented
in the diagram.
[Illustration: FIG. 22.—SEPARATOR.]
The upright part is five-eighths or three-fourths of an inch high,
according to the thickness of the toes. A cut is made in the insole,
and this part put through, while the ends are fastened to the
under-side of the sole by some very small-headed tacks, such as every
shoemaker has upon his bench, or can readily procure, and can drive
after making holes through the tin with a sharp-pointed peg-awl,
clinching their points on his lap-iron; or if the part goes through
snugly, there is no real need of fastening at all. It is best not to
set the partition very far back from the end of the toe, because at
the first joint there is but a thin covering of flesh to guard the
bone from being hurt. The exact place for it must be determined by
carefully measuring the foot, _while the toe is kept straight_ by
the hand, and afterward measuring the same length on the insole, with
the size-stick; the _width_ of the toe, as well as the foot’s length,
being also taken, and in the same way. To make sure that it shall
not chafe the toe, the partition or separator may be covered neatly
with cloth, or with a piece of thin sheepskin or kid leather. The
following cut shows it when ready to be put into the shoe.
[Illustration: FIG. 23.—INSOLE WITH SEPARATOR.]
The edges and corners of the separator need to be smoothly rounded,
and the forward upright corner may be lowered by filing off, if
desired, to prevent its showing against the upper. It should not
be _wider_ or thicker at its forward part, that is, it should not
be triangularshaped,[3] so as to separate the toes more at the
ends than farther back, for if so it would prevent the smaller ones
from straightening out to correspond with the large one. The large
toe often pushes the smaller ones to the outside—part of them, at
least—and when the great toe is restored to straightness the smaller
ones should be allowed to follow it, as they will be inclined to do,
while the curve of the shoe on the outside tends also to push them
back toward the inside. Almost anything between them will keep them
apart temporarily, as for the purpose of giving ease to a sore joint,
where there is no intention to continue the improvement.
When the shoe is made ready there may still be some difficulty about
getting the foot into it. There must first be a toe made in the
stocking; which can be done in a rough way by sewing two parallel
seams, an eighth of an inch or so apart, from the end of the stocking
to a depth equal to the length of the great toe, of sufficient width
to give room for it, and then cutting down between these seams with
the scissors. The stocking should itself be of good width, to give
space for the smaller toes to be separated also. An ingenious woman
would probably find a better way of making the toe, but this will
answer if necessary. Then, if the joint is not too stiff, or the toe
too much bent aside, it can be kept straight while going into the
boot by the fingers of one hand pressing against it outside of the
upper leather; and when this is the case the foot may be clothed in
any kind of a boot or shoe, and no difficulty will be experienced
in putting it on. A man’s calf boot may be drawn on in this way the
first time it is worn.
But when the deformity is too decided to allow of the toe being
kept straight by the hand in this manner, a shoe _which laces in
front_ must be made, the opening being cut down _somewhat lower than
usual_—as low, in fact, as will answer—though the line of the vamp
is still curved so much that the seam will not cross the joints—a
direction which the maker will understand. On account of the vamp
being so short, the shoe will look better if made rather long for the
foot.
With this the foot can be turned a little, and worked around in
such a way as commonly to get the toe to go in on the right side of
the partition; but if there is still difficulty, a pretty sure way
of accomplishing the object is to take a yard of tape, ribbon, or
something similar, wind it up around the finger into a large, compact
wad, and crowd it in between the toes till the great one is well
straightened out, taking care to leave one end of the tape hanging
outside the shoe. The toe will then be likely to go into the place
made for it, and the tape can be pulled out by its free end before
the shoe is fully drawn on.
A low shoe is still better than a high one for these difficult cases,
as the lower it is the more freedom will be allowed to turn the foot
one side in entering the toe.
Even where no trouble of this kind is anticipated, it is still
advisable that the first trial be made with a laced shoe—whether
high or low is not material—when, if entirely successful, a boot, or
a Button gaiter may next be ventured; and to those who cannot feel
sufficient faith in these statements to risk a failure on a pair of
good shoes, we recommend that they have a pair made of the poorest
and cheapest materials, and try them as an experiment.
The methods here given of straightening the toe, and the way of
making the shoe and getting the foot into it, have been tried with
fair success. Great toes that were badly deformed have been brought
back so much as to give the appearance of well-formed feet, without
creating any discomfort, and with positive ease and benefit to all
the other toes. Of course, the less the distortion, and the less
time it has existed, the easier to accomplish the purpose. There
may be many cases which there would be little use in attempting
to reform; but the great majority can probably be improved; and
though a complete success may not be always attainable, the gain
in appearance, to say nothing of comfort, ought to be sufficient
inducement to make a trial of the plan.
In some cases an unpleasant feeling to the toe or joint may be
occasioned by the change, as might be expected in any change of
a similar kind, but it is likely to become less and less till it
entirely disappears.
The greatest direct benefit, however, will doubtless be in the case
of bunion or other soreness of the joint, where the straightening of
the toe would give immediate relief, and furnish a motive to continue
the new habit. The difficulty of effecting this in the common-shaped
shoe is well known to those who have had occasion to try it. With the
new form it will be comparatively easy.
Having the great toe corrected, and the smaller ones left free to
correct themselves, being also influenced to do so by the curve on
the outside of the shoe, there is the best reason to believe that
by perseveringly continuing the position for a sufficient length of
time, all the parts would return permanently to their natural form.
In the worst cases this time might be several years; in others only
as many months. The law that any limb or organ of the body will adapt
itself to a change of position is one that cannot be questioned;
the only doubt is as to the extent of the change which may be thus
effected. When the foot has been years in growing into a bad shape,
it cannot be expected to right itself immediately, though much may
depend upon the thoroughness with which the remedy is applied.
Prevention, however, is said to be far better than cure. It certainly
is in this matter, and, being so easy and simple, there can hardly be
any good reason for its neglect.
As a means of developing some hints that may be of service in
originating an article superior to any now worn, as well as a matter
of curiosity, and to show some of the elegance formerly existing,
we give a few representations of the foot-apparel worn in ancient
and medieval times. It seems possible there may be some peculiarity
about them that can be adopted and made of use for the future. We are
indebted for them to Mr. J. S. Hall’s “BOOK OF THE FEET.”
[Illustration: FIG. 24. ANCIENT EGYPTIAN.]
[Illustration: FIG. 25. ROMAN.]
[Illustration: FIG. 26. OLD ENGLISH.]
The first cut is that of a sandal worn by the aristocracy of Egypt in
the earliest ages. There is a fastening over the instep, and another
passing from that, to a point between the great toe and the smaller
ones, to prevent slipping toward either side. The foot is a handsome
one—evidently that of a lady—and the sandal seems appropriate to a
dry, warm climate, in the days when a partially bare foot had not
become disgraceful.
The second figure represents the _cothurnus_ of the old Romans—a sort
of boot-sandal, laced in front down to the roots of the toes, but
leaving the toes themselves exposed and free, and with a sole like a
sandal, evidently shaped to fit the foot—not the foot to fit _it_.
The sturdy conquerors of the world did not, it is plain, believe in
subjecting their toes to any such tyranny as we impose upon ours.
Who can say the foot is not finely formed, although the toes are not
drawn together into a pile? or that the covering is not appropriate,
neat, and elegant?
Figure 26 shows us a form of shoe in fashion among the nobility of
England in the fifteenth century. Though the toe is somewhat lengthy,
the shoe is otherwise eminently sensible. We ought to be, and think
we are, able to improve upon what was done by our ancestors of four
hundred years ago; yet here is a sole that, notwithstanding its
ridiculously long toe, is better adapted to fit the natural foot
and preserve its shape than any of those made at the present day. A
turn-up toe is not so objectionable, when of moderate length, as it
leaves less necessity for a high heel. And if our shoes must have
long and narrow toes, something like this is decidedly _better_,
and no more ridiculous, than the cramping, distorting shapes now in
use. It is at least extraordinary that with all our modern wisdom
we are not yet able to produce a better form than any of them. But
while waiting for the right thing, if the Paris _cordonniers_ will
adopt this, and return it to us duly indorsed as the latest orthodox
French style, there will be reason for gratitude to them, and for
congratulation among ourselves.
It may be noticed that the form here shown would, if its long
toe were taken off, have a strong resemblance to that called the
_Eureka_, the breadth at the part where the toes lie, being its best
and most important point. And thus comparing the Eureka with all the
_modern_ shapes of boots and shoes, we are compelled to re-assert
that it is not only the best of any for all proper purposes, but
that, looked upon with a rightly educated taste—with a knowledge that
the forward part of the foot is, and ought to be, the widest—it is
also the most beautiful.
FOOTNOTES:
[3] There is no objection to this form in particular cases where it
is desired to go to an extreme in straightening the toe, provided
that side of the separator next the small toes be kept straight,
and the increase of width made to throw the great one still farther
inward. It may be done by filing off the forward corner of the
upright portion till its two sides are separated nearly back to the
opposite corner, when a wedge of leather can be inserted to keep them
apart. There must be plenty of room in the upper, or the pressure of
such a separator may create soreness at the nail.