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Saturday 5 April 2014

Chiropody

The professional care of feet was in existence in ancient Egypt as evidenced by bas-relief carvings at the entrance to Ankmahor's tomb dating from about 2400 BC where work on hands and feet is depicted.

Corns and calluses were described by Hippocrates who recognised the need to physically reduce hard skin, followed by removal of the cause. He invented skin scrapers for this purpose and these were the original scalpels.

Lewis Durlacher was one of the first people to call for a protected profession. He held the appointment of Surgeon-Chiropodist to King George IV, King William IV and Queen Victoria.

In the United States, President Abraham Lincoln suffered greatly with his feet and chose a chiropodist named Isachar Zacharie, who not only cared for the president’s feet, but also was sent by President Lincoln on confidential missions to confer with leaders of the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

The first society of chiropodists, now known as podiatrists, was established in New York in 1895—and still operates there today as NYSPMA.

Chiropractors are not a type of medical doctor, cannot practice medicine, and Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine like acupuncture.

The term podiatry came into use in the early 20th century in the United States for the care and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. It is now used worldwide by English-speaking countries.

Source Wikipedia

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