Looking back: Fellows, finance and first time chiropody. March 2025

In the latest of our 'Looking back' articles, we take a look back through the March 1925 issue of The Chiropodist for some surprising tales of human interest and money well spent. And for more tales of the past, visit our new archive pages here.

First time chiropody: By "Beginner"

To being with, a piece from The Chiropodist recounting a case study by a self-styled ‘beginner’ chiropodist. It sheds light on the trepidation felt at the start of a career in any branch of medicine: will you be able to give the right diagnosis and advice? However, the author commends the value of a sound chiropodial education as a basis for good clinical practice. Subsequently, he or she ends with a story about a watchmaker….a timely analogy?

Chiropody for the wounded

The Chiropodist then goes on to highlight a mournful tale reported in the press about an ex-soldier taking his own life because of the pain in his feet, and the compassionate response by E Seddon, Honorary Secretary, The Incoporated Society of Chiropodists (Manchester and District branch). Whether this story is apocryphal or not it highlighted the great need for chiropody to be extended to all in need. This particularly applied to servicemen during World War I. Indeed EV Runting wrote his pamphlet Battalion Chiropody to highlight the necessity of foot care for the troops and the Pedic Clinic was offering free treatment to servicemen.

The 1925 AGM

Honorary Fellowship

The following items of interest came from a printed report from the 1925 AGM, which was held in March. Firstly, a list of newly-created Honorary Fellows.

There are certainly some distinguished medical names here and it demonstrates the breadth of connections made by the Incorporated Society at the time. As far as I can tell, E P Cumberbatch is no relation of the esteemed actor Benedict Cumberbatch!

• Lennox Ross Broster (1889-1965) - born in South Africa, became surgeon at Guy’s & Charing Cross hospitals.
• Gerald M Slot (1898-1972) - consulting physician and medical author
• Charles W. Cathcart (1853-1932) - Scottish surgeon based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
• Walter Rowley Bristow (1882-1947) - orthopaedic surgeon with an interest in electrotherapy
• Elkin Percy Cumberbatch (1880-1939) - surgeon with a special interest in x-rays/electrotherapy.

End of year accounts for 1924

Finally, here are the end of year accounts for 1924. The itemisation of income includes interest payments on National War Bonds. These bonds were a way for the government to raise money and control inflation without raising taxes during World War I.

The expenditure itemisation shows spending both on the mundane (fuel, candles and depreciation of furniture) to the more out-of-the-way (contributions to a portrait of Dr Oxford and donations to the Manchester Foot Clinic).

Find out more

To find out more about the history of chiropody and podiatry, and to read more Stories from the archives, visit the new suite of pages featuring the work of the Centre for the History of Podiatric Medicine.