They stayed out of water But they also were told to change their socks regularly , wear waterproof footwear or gumboots and cover their feet with whale oil .
rub feet with whale oil, wrap sheep skin around feet,didn't take their shoes off,encase feet in water
It was caused by constant immersion, unsanitary conditions and the inability to regulary change your footware.
wear really big boots
according to my books, 75,000 brits had it but only 41 died from it which i am not sure is 100% correct