Athletic Training

xviii AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION and other countries that I began, four years ago, the preparation of this text. No man knows all there is to know about any given subject, and I freely acknowledge my indebt– edness to many of the athletes whom I have trained and to my associates in this work both here and abroad. I believe with all my soul in the great value of athletics in the life of the individual and the nation. I believe that every boy and every girl have a right to a good constitution. If they have not been blessed with such by birth, then I contend that it is the duty of the state, as a part of its educational system, to give these children facilities for acquiring strong bodies. This is a doctrine I have preached incessantly for years, and I rejoice to see that our colleges and our public and pri– vate schools are furnishing just these facilities. I never did believe in athletics except as they promoted good health and physical efficiency. This is the one truth I have always empha– sized- that all the athletic glory ever won is not worth a month's ill health. I could write a volume on the value of athletics to the individual-the moral and