After several turns the bandage is reversed so as to compress the foot longitudinally.

The young girl is then left for a month, and when the bandage is removed the foot is often found gangrenous and ulcerated, one or two toes not infrequently being lost.

If the foot is thus bound for two years it becomes virtually dead and painless.

By this time the calf disappears from lack of exercise, the bones are attenuated, and all the parts are dry and shrivelled.

In after-life the leg frequently regains its muscles and adipose tissue, but the foot always remains small.