The Royal College of Podiatry

A Society soiree

Firstly, this edition of The Chiropodist has details and the official picture from the Society's Annual Dinner on Friday 13 May 1955. The guests were to be treated to a magician from the Magic Circle - how to make corns disappear, maybe?

Chiropody and care for the elderly

Most of the rest of this issue concentrated on chiropody and care of the elderly - this from the Editorial:

Later in the issue was a transcript of a lecture given by Lord Amulree (pictured below). Basil William Sholto Mackenzie, 2nd Lord Amulree, was a physician who specialised in geriatric medicine and was President of the Society of Chiropodists from 1963 to 1974.

He was an advocate and supporter of the profession and this edition of The Chiropodist printed a transcript of his lecture on geriatrics.

His section on chiropody highlights its significant role in elderly care. It notes that foot problems can severely limit mobility, sometimes leading to isolation. While not all foot issues are curable, many can be alleviated through proper chiropody services. However, caution is advised, as improper care - like careless cutting of corns - could lead to complications such as gangrene, especially in individuals with poor circulation. Chiropody services are often paired with social clubs for the elderly, offering dual benefits: improving physical comfort while addressing loneliness and mental health challenges.

A subsequent piece in this edition, written by RR Suvarna (pictured below), is entitled The Management of the Semi-mobile Aged.

Ravi Suvarna (who passed away in 1989) was a well-thought-of and prolific member of Council, and later Vice-President. He served on many committees and was a respected examiner. In addition, he was fluent in several languages and consequently was able to forge lasting links with chiropodial organisations in the EEC.

Interestingly, we also hold in the archive a letter from Margaret Thatcher to Suvarna concerning the Treaty of Rome and its implications for chiropody. Thatcher was Suvarna's MP in the constituency of Finchley. In his original letter Suvarna stated "both the Chiropodists Board (of which I am a member) and the Examining Board, the Society of Chiropodists (of which I am Vice-President) are very concerned in case any attempt should be made by the Commission in Brussels, to set a lower standard for chiropody than that which prevails in the United Kingdom."

At this time Sir Keith Joseph (who was mentioned in the letter) was Secretary of State for Social Services, which had responsibility for health at this time.

Further on in this edition of The Chiropodist there is a report of a parliamentary debate which includes a plea for the provision of chiropody.

A footnote to history

Finally, a piece about discoveries of Assyrian wall carvings by Max Mallowan and his wife Agatha Christie, with descriptions of ancient feet and footwear.