Medicine: Footling Figures

U.S. feet are going to the dogs. Nine Americans in ten, says the National Association of Chiropodists, have foot disorders.† The chiropodists are unhappy about it, argue that “no matter what your walk of life, your feet have to carry you a long way.” To prove it, foot doctors hung pedometers on people in various jobs, tallied their daily mileage. Some totals:

¶ Women shoppers average eight miles a day, during Christmas rush may tramp up to eleven.

¶ Chorus girls, high-kicking through three shows a day, dance seven miles.

¶ A cop on the beat covers a mere eleven miles.

¶ When plowing, a farmer plods 25 miles, five more than a postman making his daily rounds.

¶ Easiest on the feet: a stenographer’s job, four miles.

† Chiropodist lingo for corns and calluses, feet, athlete’s foot, deformities of toes.