Note 6 — Chapter VII

Another reason for care in guarding against weak ankles is thus given in a work upon the “Theory and Practice of the Movement-Cure,” by Dr. Charles F. Taylor.

“Weak ankles, often the result of the ungraceful, and, in other respects, pernicious fashion of wearing high, narrow-heeled shoes, straining them by their rolling about, etc., may be the exciting cause of lateral curvature of the spine. The weaker ankle is generally the left, and the individual soon forms the habit of standing on the right foot. The lower portion of the spine is thrown to the left, and the dorsal portion necessarily thrown to the right.” In another place he repeats: “We find that almost without exception, in curvature to the right, the left ankle is much weaker than the other. Movements of the foot must be employed, such as inward and outward flexion, twisting the whole leg from the hip, and many others, calculated to strengthen the left leg, hip, and ankle.”