I've been doing a lot of walking lately and my feet are killing me! I decided to look up Fletcher's advice to see what she had to say on the matter....
Frequent bathing has much to do with keeping [the foot] trim and shapely, and as much attention should be given to house foot-wear as to that worn in the street, which should never be retained in the house. It is quite as demoralizing to the feet as to the character to indulge in going slipshod about the house. Those inclined to flat-foot should not wear slippers without heels or mule-slippers, nor walk barefoot, even about the bedroom. A frequent change of shoes is better for both feet and shoes, and will help to keep both in good condition. After a long walk the feet should be given a warm bath with soap, and then be rubbed with the rum or cologne. If there is pain in the soles or over the instep, bathing with a weak solution of carbolic acid will allay it. Shoes or slippers with heels of a different height from those used in walking should be donned. When there is acute pain in the insteps it will strengthen and rest the feet after the bath to lie down, turning upon the face so as to stretch the feet out on a pillow, soles upward. Hot sea-salt baths are very restful and a sovereign remedy for feet inclined to swell from long standing; and great benefit is gained also from dissolving in the foot-bath water two teaspoonfuls of this powder:
Alum 1 ounce
Rock salt 2 ounces
Borax 2 ounces
After the bath, low sandal-slippers which can be bound about the ankles with ribbons will aid in restoring their symmetry, and a good counter-exercise for the muscles of the feet is to sit so the toes will just touch the floor, and then press upon them with considerable weight.
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