26 JANUARY 1991, Page 24

Sweet feet

Sir: Our attention has been drawn to Candida Crewe's 'The sour smell of chir- opody' ( 22/29 December), where we think it is a shame she based her assessment of our profession on one experience with a single chiropodist.

Quite apart from the ethics of giving patients' names (even if they were in- vented) Mr Bedwell must work in a very strange area to keep harping on about smelly feet. In the 26 years we have been in the profession as state registered chiropod- ists we have only twice refused to treat patients because of that complaint.

But the issue that really concerns us is where the idea comes from that chiropody is one of the three least favoured profes- sions (by the way, is mining a profession?). All medical auxiliaries are anxious for more entrants. It is perfectly true that demand outstrips supply. Merely saying it is no advance. The Society of Chiropodists (the senior body in the profession) battles constantly for greater recognition for its members and, of course, for better pay. The fact that they, in common with speech, occupational, physiotherapists and others, have so far not greatly succeeded is no more than a commentary on our society's priorities. Remedial medicine cannot com- pete with fashion, most foot problems coming from wearing the wrong shoes.

Meantime, Mr Bedwell and the rest of us will just have to go on doing our best. Calderwood, Kellond, Collett

5 London Wall Buildings, Finsbury Circus, London EC2