\newinsert\footins
\def\footnote#1{\let\@sf\empty % parameter #2 (the text) is read later
  \ifhmode\edef\@sf{\spacefactor\the\spacefactor}\/\fi
  #1\@sf\vfootnote{#1}}
\def\vfootnote#1{\insert\footins\bgroup
  \interlinepenalty\interfootnotelinepenalty
  \splittopskip\ht\strutbox % top baseline for broken footnotes
  \splitmaxdepth\dp\strutbox \floatingpenalty\@MM
  \leftskip\z@skip \rightskip\z@skip \spaceskip\z@skip \xspaceskip\z@skip
  \textindent{#1}\footstrut\futurelet\next\fo@t}
\def\fo@t{\ifcat\bgroup\noexpand\next \let\next\f@@t
  \else\let\next\f@t\fi \next}
\def\f@@t{\bgroup\aftergroup\@foot\let\next}
\def\f@t#1{#1\@foot}
\def\@foot{\strut\egroup}
\def\footstrut{\vbox to\splittopskip{}}
\skip\footins=\bigskipamount % space added when footnote is present
\count\footins=1000 % footnote magnification factor (1 to 1)
\dimen\footins=8in % maximum footnotes per page