Chapter I · THE RECENT HISTORY OF PODIATRY

The first steps in the movement for the enactment of a law governing the practice of chiropody in the United States were made in the state of New York, when, in 1895 C. S. Levy, H. Levy, L. B. Rosenberg, H. Mayer, E. Werther and M. M. Marks met at the residence of C. S. Levy to discuss this matter. As a result of this meeting, a bill drafted by Maurice Marks, a well known New York lawyer, was subsequently presented to the New York State legislature. John B. Stanchfield, leader of the assembly, spoke at length on the question of “feet” and amid mirth and laughter (the question was considered somewhat of a joke), the bill was passed by the lower house. Shortly thereafter, the senate took similar action on the bill, whereupon Governor Morton promptly signed it.

In accordance with the provisions of the law, the Pedic Society of the State of New York was organized on the 3rd of June, 1895, and R. H. Westervelt was elected president, George Erff, treasurer and Louise Hartogensis, secretary. Wm. D. Gaige, Jonas M. Heimerdinger and L. B. Rosenberg were selected as the first board of examiners.

R. H. Westervelt served as president of the society for a period of two years, when he was succeeded by Elliott W. Johnson, who acted as chief executive officer for fifteen years. George Erff was the next president and he in turn was succeeded by Alfred Joseph, J. P. Solomon and Ernest Graff.

The affairs of the society improved with each succeeding year, and much of the credit of its success should go to Maurice M. Marks, who acted as attorney for the society, and in addition, assisted wherever he could.

BIRTH OF “THE PEDIC ITEMS”

“The Pedic Items,” which has done so much to advance the calling of podiatry, is the child of Alfred Joseph. In 1906 he outlined a plan to the members of the Pedic Society of the State of New York, whereby a journal could be created and conducted profitably. On January 1st, 1907, a leaflet called the “Pedic Society Items” was sent to the members. On April 1st, 1907, a four page paper was published, and after that Alfred Joseph was offered the position of editor. The “Items” appeared every four months for the first few years of its existence, and finally became a monthly paper which has grown to a sixty-four page book, and even this is inadequate to convey all that is new and of interest to the members of the profession. This book is now current podiatry literature in every english speaking country in the world. A number of chiropody publications have appeared from time to time, most of them, of no scientific value, and they died an early death. The newest paper, “The Podiatrist,” is a thoroughly scientific journal, that has already found a place in the profession; it is edited and published by E. K. Burnett, one of the progressive members of the podiatry profession, and appears once each month.

FIRST SCHOOL OF CHIROPODY

At the March, 1911 meeting of the Pedic Society of the State of New York, Alfred Joseph, as chairman of a committee appointed to take the matter under advisement, read a report on the question of organizing a school, and asked that moneys be subscribed for the purposes of incorporating such an institution. In a short time, over $1,200.00 was subscribed and the corporation known as “The Chiropodists of America” came into existence, with George Erff, president and Alfred Joseph, secretary.

This school was conducted along commercial lines, and although its purposes were good, it did not meet the standards which its promoters were hopeful of establishing for it and which it later secured through the action of the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIROPODISTS

The October, 1911, issue of “The Pedic Items” contained the first announcement of a proposed plan to organize a national association of chiropodists. All chiropodists were invited to become members, and after a mail vote, Chicago was selected as the first convention city. On July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, after the usual preliminaries, the organization was completed, and Alfred Joseph, who was the organizer of the association, was elected president. Ernest Graff was elected secretary-treasurer. This organization has grown from 225 members at its first meeting, to the present large society of over 1,000 members. The influence of the N. A. C. is and has been decidedly salutory, and its organizers can well be proud of the work they have accomplished.

CHANGE IN THE CHIROPODY LAW OF NEW YORK

The members of the Pedic Society of the State of New York, after a brief experience, realized the shortcomings of the original law which governed the practice of chiropody. They sought to advance their calling and to provide so that those entering the profession should be properly equipped.

A committee of the Pedic Society of the State of New York composed of George Erff, Maurice Marks and Alfred Joseph, called upon Edward Milton Foote, M. D., a prominent surgeon, for advice as to procedure. Dr. Foote, in turn, advised that the secretary of the N. Y. State Board of Medical Examiners be consulted. Thus it came to pass that these gentlemen met Maurice J. Lewi, M. D.

Dr. Lewi listened attentively to the request of the committee that he devise ways and means for improving the then inefficient chiropody law, fell in heartily with their objects and after outlining a plan of procedure, drafted a bill which, after receiving the sanction of the State education authorities, was introduced in the legislature. The bill was unanimously passed and became a law September 1st, 1912. Thereupon the State Education Department delegated Dr. Lewi to outline a standard for chiropody schools which they promptly adopted. Much to the surprise of the officials of the New York School of Chiropody, these standards were so high that they feared it would be impossible for them to carry them into effect.

Conducting a school along the lines set by the State made it necessary to engage as its head one who was a medical practitioner, an educator, an executive and a man of character. Where was such a man to be found? After much deliberation and numerous consultations, the committee of the Pedic Society decided that there was but one man known to them who combined all of these attributes and he was the very individual who had guided them in seeking to advance their profession, Dr. Lewi. When the proposition was put to Dr. Lewi, he declined with thanks on the ground that his position as Secretary of the State Board of Medical Examiners was to his liking. The committee was insistent and pleaded with him to reconsider his determination. For three months the committee and their friends labored with Dr. Lewi and finally, after making certain stipulations which placed the management of the school in his sole charge, he capitulated, and on January 1st, 1913, he assumed the presidency of the reorganized School of Chiropody of New York. With meagre funds, but with earnest zeal he commenced his task and soon surrounded himself with a splendid faculty and with a modest but sufficient equipment. The school has flourished. It behooves every member of the profession of podiatry to remember that had it not been for the broad-mindedness and the foresight of Dr. Lewi, this calling which is gradually taking its place as a legitimate branch of medicine, would still be the trade it was, and the podiatrists of today would still be the “corn-cutters” of yesterday.

On September 27th, 1917, the Regents of the University of the State of New York granted a provisional charter to The First Institute of Podiatry and henceforth the School of Chiropody of New York will be known by that title.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER SCHOOLS

After the organization of the new regime in podiatry education, the old system of conducting schools for gain only, was gradually eliminated and the need for schools to teach foot ills in a scientific manner, became apparent. Since the organization of The First Institute of Podiatry, several other institutions have come into existence whose purpose is to equip their students to be true podiatrists. The California College of Chiropody, situated in San Francisco, is the only institution west of Chicago, imparting knowledge of this character. In the middle west, the City of Chicago boasts of two schools, viz.: the Illinois College of Chiropody and the Chicago School of Chiropody. The State of Ohio is well represented by the Ohio College of Chiropody in the City of Cleveland. Temple University of Philadelphia, Pa., has a Department of Chiropody and is educating specialists in conjunction with its medical course. The latest addition to chiropody teaching institutions is the University of Massachusetts in East Cambridge, Mass.

All of these institutions are endeavoring to educate their students along ethical and scientific lines, and it is but a question of time when they will have attained the status and educational influence of The First Institute of Podiatry.

ORGANIZATION OF PEDIC SOCIETIES

After the Pedic Society of the State of New York had been conducting its affairs for several years, podiatrists throughout the country, recognizing the advantages to be derived from a conjunction of individual interests into groups, created organizations in thirty-seven States of the Union. It is safe to predict that within the next five years, there will be a podiatry organization in each of the remaining States not now so organized.

Activities along these lines have not been limited to the United States alone. In England, the Incorporated Society of Chiropodists is a flourishing body, boasting a large membership. Ernest G. V. Runting is president of that organization and he and many others in the British Isles are helping to make podiatry a real profession. The other European countries are not progressive in podiatry work (possibly due to the war situation), but as the United States and Great Britain advance, so will the other nations follow. It is unfortunate that the people of many of these European countries do not fully appreciate the value of scientific foot treatment, but, as in other educational branches, it is only a question of time when every government in the civilized world will recognize the necessity for a full study of this important branch of medical science, and will also pass laws regulating podiatry practice.

In the United States, one of the first states to follow the example of New York, was California. In July, 1901, George Koenigstein called a meeting of the chiropodists in San Francisco, and an organization known as the San Francisco Chiropodists Association was formed. This society had for its prime purpose, the passing of a law governing the practice of chiropody in the State of California; the organization elected no regular set of officers but held desultory meetings once or twice a month at the office of Charles L. Scharff.

The bill that this society formulated was presented to the legislature at Sacramento and Drs. Scharff and Koenigstein were delegated to press it to passage. They worked like Trojans but to no avail. The bill was pigeon-holed and nothing more was heard of it. Subsequently the Society died a peaceful death.

In 1907, following the great fire in San Francisco, a few chiropodists again attempted to pass legislation in California, but this endeavor was also fruitless. In the latter part of 1911 and in the early part of 1912, stimulated by an article relating to the subject which appeared in “The Pedic Items,” and fully realizing the benefits of chiropody organization, if properly conducted, several California practitioners were elected to membership in the National Association. Among these were Oscar L. Gruggel, S. Rutherford Levy, and Charles L. Scharff. These men became N. A. C. propagandists, and secured the applications of others in California for membership in the National Association. On January 12th, 1912, The Pedic Society of the State of California was permanently organized and chartered. Its first officers were, S. Rutherford Levy, President; William F. Leck, First Vice-President, Oscar L. Gruggel, Second Vice-President; H. H. Katz, Third Vice-President; Charles L. Scharff, Secretary-Treasurer; Z. L. Comet, Sergeant-at-arms, and F. Schilling, Counsel for the Society.

This society attempted to pass a State law regulating the practice of chiropody (in 1913) and a bill drafted for the purpose by Mr. Schilling, was presented to the legislature. By almost superhuman effort on the part of every member of the society, the bill passed both houses of the legislature, but the Governor vetoed it on the ground that he was opposed to the creation of new State Commissions.

Dismayed, but not disheartened, the legislative committee immediately made arrangements to carry on the fight at the next session of the legislature. The new bill introduced, instead of creating a separate commission, placed the supervision of chiropody practice in the hands of the existing State Board of Medical Examiners. Changes agreeable to all concerned were made, and in the 1915 session of the legislature, the Benson Medical Act, 443, to regulate the practice of podiatry in California, was passed by both houses. On June 8th, the bill was signed by the Governor and the law became effective August 8th, 1915.

In the State of Illinois, the first organization was effected in September, 1904. A charter was applied for and granted to Charles Kenison, Nicholas Von Schill, Frank Johnson and Ignace J. Reis. The officers elected were, Charles Kenison, President; Leonard Lower, Vice-President; C. G. Sims, Treasurer and Ignace J. Reis, Secretary.

On September 18th, 1912, the temporary organization of The Illinois Pedic Association was effected. The organization was made permanent on October 2nd, 1912, and the following were elected as the first officers:

President, Ignace J. Reis; Vice-President, Maximilian Pincus, M. D.; Secretary, Henry Schmidt; Treasurer, John Kenison; Trustees, Leonard A. Lower; Henry J. Riegelhaupt; Charles Kenison; Counsellors, Frank S. Lower, M.D., H. P. Kenison, M. Pincus, M.D.

In the year 1906, S. L. Lawton of Fall River, Mass., consulted with F. J. Coughlin of Boston as to the advisability of forming a state chiropody association. Harry P. Kenison of Boston was advised with and readily fell in with the plans. As a result, a meeting was called at the office of the latter and the Massachusetts Association was created. The first officers were J. P. Buntin, Boston, President; S. D. Lawton, Fall River, Vice-President; F. J. Coughlin, Boston, Secretary-Treasurer, and the following Directors: H. P. Kenison, F. E. Davis, C. R. Watkins, A. M. Brackett, W. E. Lee and G. M. Pettingill. This society has flourished and, due to the efforts of several of its members, including the present president of the N. A. C., H. P. Kenison, the present law governing the practice of chiropody in Massachusetts was passed. This was accomplished in spite of strenuous opposition on the part of medical practitioners and a few disgruntled chiropodists within and out of the organization.

In the West, there is gradually springing up a progressive spirit in all that pertains to podiatry. Much of this spirit has been created through the efforts of a few practitioners in the State of Colorado who have been extremely active in the past few years. In 1914, Bertha De Wolfe, having taken a course at the School of Chiropody of New York, located in the City of Denver. Realizing the necessity of organization, she immediately set to the task, and in December of that year, the Colorado Pedic Society held its first meeting. It was incorporated, January, 1915. Its first officers were, C. S. Rees, President; A. M. Parker, first Vice-President; Lucy Ballou, second Vice-President; Bertha De Wolfe, Secretary-Treasurer.

The late Benjamin Oelsner of Bridgeport, Conn., was always an active member of the profession, and through his efforts, the Connecticut Pedic Society was organized, in the city of New Haven, March 23rd, 1910. This organization has grown rapidly, and because of its activities, Connecticut now has a chiropody law on its statute books.

The Rhode Island Chiropodists Society was organized November 8th, 1914, largely through the efforts of Alfred C. Moran, who represented the National Association of Chiropodists in that section of the country. This organization is gradually growing, and since the convention of the N. A. C. which was held in Providence, R. I., many practitioners who previously showed no interest in the union of podiatry forces, have become active workers in the interests of the profession. The officers of The Rhode Island Chiropodists Society are Charles T. Heilborn, President; Henry S. Batchelder, first Vice-President; F. S. Sargent, second Vice-President; Alfred C. Moran, Secretary-Treasurer.

LAWS GOVERNING PODIATRY PRACTICE

Since the first law governing the practice of podiatry passed in the State of New York, eighteen other states have taken similar action. The National Association of Chiropodists has been largely responsible for most of the success along these lines. The committee in charge of legislation has been a most active one, and its usefulness may be realized, when it is recorded that during the period from August, 1916, to July, 1917, six states in the union passed laws regulating the practice of podiatry. As the profession advances, and the academic requirements are increased, the laws are so changed as to create a greater scope of endeavor for our practitioners. Thus in some states the law permits the podiatrist to perform operations of a major nature, while in others the practice is limited to structures involving the true skin only. It is safe to predict that in a few years, every state in the union will have enacted legislation regulating the practice of podiatry. The states now governed by such laws (New Jersey was the first) are Colorado, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.⁠[1]⁠

Educators and the public generally throughout the entire country are beginning to realize the value of scientific foot care, and where the chiropodist was derided and scoffed at years ago, the podiatrist of today is gradually taking the place he so rightly deserves, at the side of the members of the other professions, honored and respected as a well trained, educated man who is proving a benefactor to the human race. So it is, that the schools of chiropody are being developed, and in a few years when the academic requirements will have become the same as for the other professions, the courses of study at these schools will run on all fours with the schedules of study maintained at medical schools.