Complete 13 pages APA formatted article: A Comparative Analysis of Single-Use and Reusable Instruments in Podiatry.

Complete 13 pages APA formatted article: A Comparative Analysis of Single-Use and Reusable Instruments in Podiatry. The term "podiatry" traces its roots in North America but has eventually been adapted even among English speaking members of the Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) - an organization of podiatric medical school graduates.

The interest in studying the foot as well as appreciation of its importance to the beauty and health of an individual has already been seen in the early Egyptian civilization. A proof of which is the carvings showing work on hands and feet were seen at the entrance of the Animator's tomb. As many Egyptologists would argue, early Egyptian civilization already had an idea of professional feet care. For instance, Hippocrates was one the first who described corns and calluses. He may also be considered as an early podiatric since he was one of the first who recognized the need to physically reduce hard skin, followed by removal of the cause. Hippocrates even invented skin scrapers for this purpose that eventually became the original scalpels. Records also show that Celsus who is a Roman scientist and philosopher was probably the one who gave 'corns' their name. Paul of Aegina then gave the definition of a 'corn' as "a white circular body like the head of a nail, forming in all parts of the body, but more especially on the soles of the feet and the toes. It may be removed in the course of some time by pairing away the prominent part of it constantly with a scalpel or rubbing it down with pumice. The same thing can be done with a callus."

Chiropodists, who are also known as podiatrists and podiatric professionals nowadays, were not essentially considered as medical practitioners until the turn of the 20th century. Before podiatrists were perceived as independently licensed physicians who cure diseases pertaining to the foot, ankle, and related leg structures but they were still separated from organized medicine. It was by a man named Lewis Durlacher who first recognized the need for Podiatry to be considered as a medical profession. With this in mind, Durlacher tried to establish the first association of podiatric practitioners in 1854.

Some of the famous people in history who even hired their own personal podiatrists to tend their feet were the King of France, Napoleon, and President Abraham Lincoln. According to historical accounts, the former President Abraham Lincoln consistently had feet ailments that he hired a chiropodist named Isachar Zacharie. Such trust and friendship might have developed between President Lincoln and Zacharie that the former president even gave Zacharie instructions regarding national security. During the civil war, President Lincoln even sent Zacharie to confidential missions to deliberate and meet with leaders of the Confederacy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podiatry)

Podiatry as a Medical Profession

Podiatry's journey of being more than a folk form of medicine began with the formation of the first society of podiatrists and chiropodists in 1895. This was established in New York and in 1911 a school officially opened. A year later, a British society of podiatrists and chiropodists was also created at the London Foot Hospital where a school was also opened in 1919. In Australia on the other hand, associations of professional podiatric practitioners started to appear in 1924 onwards.&nbsp.