Wearing Shoes and Health

Author: Tadashi Ishizuka
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: The 16th U.S. President Lincoln's Foot
If you talk about historical figures, it can be said that Lincoln's physique does not give one the impression of being charming and elegant.
Although Lincoln's height exceeded 190 centimeters, he stood out in any crowd, but his untidy hair and unshaven chin made him look more like a simple farmer.
Moreover, it seemed that no matter what clothes Lincoln wore, they never fit him well. It is said that he always wore an ugly black suit, with a black tie tied crookedly, one hand in his pocket, and his face always appeared listless and melancholic.
In fact, Lincoln was often in a state of melancholy, rarely experiencing moments of cheerfulness, which was related to the troubles brought to him daily by his well-known difficult wife, as well as the secession of southern states like Florida from the U.S. federal government shortly after he was elected the 16th U.S. President in 1860. The Civil War broke out between the North and the South just three months after he took office. In the face of national crisis, Lincoln began to fight alone, investing his body and mind to a great extent.
During this period, another source of trouble for Lincoln was his own foot. His foot was as tall as his height and particularly large, with a flatfoot condition. His foot was wide and thick, making it difficult to find suitable shoes. The soles of his feet constantly developed calluses and warts, and his feet often ached. When he worked, the pain in his feet affected his normal mental activity.
By November 1863, as the American Civil War progressed, Lincoln decided to attend the dedication ceremony of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial and prepared to deliver a speech. Although the speech had been scheduled long ago, Lincoln grew somewhat anxious as the event approached, mainly due to the presence of a man named Everett. Everett was a former U.S. Secretary of State, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and a member of the Senate. He came from a prominent family in Boston society and was the most eloquent man in the United States. Clearly, Everett's brilliant speech would captivate the audience. Moreover, since he was to speak before Lincoln, it posed a challenge to Lincoln.
In the days leading up to the ceremony, Lincoln was in a state of unease. Despite multiple revisions, the speech draft remained undecided. Compared to Everett's erudition, Lincoln might have felt his own knowledge was shallow, and compared to Everett's refined demeanor, he seemed too rustic.
At this time, Lincoln was also troubled by his foot pain. One day, he decisively decided to seek treatment from Zacharie, a renowned foot specialist at the time, for his foot pain. The treatment was highly successful, relieving Lincoln of his long-standing foot pain and making him feel revitalized, as if he had become a different person, able to focus on his work. Afterward, the famous Gettysburg Address was born.
On the day of the ceremony, Everett's speech came first. The audience listened intently, completely captivated by his speech, which can be considered a historic masterpiece.