In my London practice before and partly during the last war, I devoted the whole of my time to specialising in osteopathic treat­ment of the feet, the demand for which far exceeded the supply of hours available. This evidenced the dire need for such treatment and amply confirmed statistical data that three out of every five persons suffer some disability from their feet.

I was at that time, and have been since, much struck with the remarkable improvement that took place in the general health of patients which followed adjustments to the feet. They individually reported that headaches of uncertain origin had disappeared, digestive disturbances had cleared up accompanied by a feeling of the abdominal organs having been "lifted up."

All this was, in part, due to the altered posture that was brought about by the improved condition of the feet. Pelvic con­gestion was removed, and with the viscera better positioned, bowel action became regular and easy—with the result that long-standing constipation cleared up, and with this relief, haemorrhoids, too. Menstrual periods in certain cases were "automatically" regulated, and were no longer painful, whilst all kinds of incidental ailments disappeared.

So it was that I gathered from the conspicuous changes for the better in the general health of patients and from the improve­ment that took place in any affected organ or organs (as a result of skilled foot manipulations) that there must be some connection between the nerve endings in the feet and the proximal and distal parts and organs of the body. The study and application of Zone Therapy confirmed that the splendid results obtained were effected by what is known as "reflex action," occasioned by the treatment to the feet and by the subsequent change in the patient's posture, as already mentioned.

Zone therapy of the feet is a system of treatment that has been evolved by one Eunice D. Ingham, a member of the New York State Society of Medical Masseurs for influencing, through reflex action, the different organs and other parts of the body by very deep compression massage of painful areas found on the feet by digital pressure. This system is based upon the Zone Therapy of a Dr. Fitzgerald, who was at one time, a member of the Central London Nose and Throat Hospital. He enjoyed an excellent reputation, his medical acumen being fully recognised and acknow­ledged.

Many individuals, who have no reason at all to complain about their feet will be greatly surprised to find that applying firm pressure to various small areas of the sides of the legs just above the ankles, to the soles and upper parts of the feet will elicit tender­ness amounting, in many cases, to an excruciating pain.

Now, according to Dr. Fitzgerald and confirmed (by experi­ence) by Eunice Ingham over many years, and by others working in this field (including myself) there are areas on each foot and on the adjacent parts which correspond respectively to each of the endocrine or ductless glands and organs of the body, which can be beneficially influenced by deep, heavy compression massage. This massage is done by using the fingers or thumb and making heavy, circular movements on the sore spot, wherever found.

These movements must be varied by upward and downward and sideways pressures. And one should make a practice of using this compression massage every day for five to ten minutes on each of the painful spots discovered; but should not treat all the painful areas at one sitting if there are many. It is better to leave one lot over to be treated on the following day, and so on, alter­natively. Gradually these tender areas will clear up and the resultant improvement, which can be most striking, will not only manifest itself in the feet themselves but also in the general well-being of the body-mind.

Each gland or other organ can be beneficently influenced by this reflex-therapy. But a proviso must be introduced here, viz., there must be no actual bone displacement present. Should the painful foot condition not yield to compression massage as des­cribed above, then the sufferer should consult a qualified osteopath, who by virtue of his knowledge and skill will make the necessary adjustments should he find that these are required.

The immediate relief, in most cases, after skilled manipulative foot treatment, has to be experienced to be believed; but self-ad­ministered deep compression massage should never be neglected, even if only for the exhilarating effects that it produces.

As already stated, improvement and cures in any organ, gland, muscle, etc., are achieved by what has been called "reflex-action," a phenomenon that tends to establish the harmony of the vital forces within the body. ,

Here is an excellent example of reflex action which exercises a curative effect upon the affected part, although it may be remotely situated from the area of the foot under treatment.

Only a short while ago a patient complained of an acute pain in and around the nail of the forefinger of the right hand. This finger was somewhat swollen and inflamed, and I diagnosed the condition as one of onychia, from which the patient had suffered for years, treatment of any kind being of no use whatever. The finger, be it noted, was too painful to treat directly, so I went to the corresponding toe, the second in the right foot, and there in the same area as that of the finger, I found an exceedingly painful spot on even slight pressure. Into this spot I inserted an acu­puncture needle of silver. This little "operation" was scarcely noticed by the patient, and this greatly surprised her. After two minutes the needle was removed, and now, on pressing hard on the toe AND on the previously acutely painful finger the patient did not feel the slightest tenderness. There has been no recurrence of the pain, the thickening has disappeared, and with it the in­flammation.*

This case alone will more than suffice to convince any person, not hard-bitten by skepticism, of the soundness of Zone Therapy by Dr. Fitzgerald, and of the efficacy of acupuncture discovered by the Chinese over five thousand years ago with the meridians along which the life energy flows, known as the Yinn and the Yang forces.

It would seem that the establishment of the balance of these forces can be helped by applying firm compression massage to those areas of the soles of the feet, and also on top of them, as well as up both sides of the legs just above the ankles and on their sides that are found to be tender or painful on digital pressure. But compression massage need not be restricted to the feet. It can be applied to other tender areas on any part of the body especially along both sides of the spine.

The healing effects which are so puzzling even to serious investigators of to-day, and which are so frequently brought about by the acupuncture treatment and nerve-point compression massage, such as that of Dr. Cornelius, sometimes instantaneously, find a possible explanation in the Chinese view, viz., that the skin can be looked upon as an extended "carpet" of the brain. This is a most intelligent observation on the part of the very ancient Chinese physicians.

Apart from the curative influence upon the organs and other parts, and of the body as a whole, which can be brought about by compression massage, the effect of this massage upon the feet them­selves is excellent—removing crystaline deposits, adhesions and muscle tensions; and by restoring mobility of the joints of the feet by suitable manipulations of the bones, the circulation is greatly improved together with the nerve supply* so that the feet feel really alive with a delightful vital glow. One experiences an uplift both in body and in mind.

* Please observe that NO substance of any nature is ever in­jected with the Chinese acupuncture; just a solid silver, gold or steel needle, especially made for the purpose, is inserted subcut-aneously.

If this home treatment of the feet is conscientiously under­taken before winter sets in by those who have suffered from chil­blains in the past, they can be assured with almost a certainty that there will be no recurrence of that trouble; and many other com­plaints can be ameliorated or averted by this practice.

* Circulation and nerve supply always go together.

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