Medical program for the boxing industry.

Abstract

Prize fighting is one of the oldest and most hazardous of the trades, 1 and the risks involved have changed little in thousands of years. American medicine has paid slight attention to boxing. In almost all other dangerous occupations, medicine has instituted health conservation and accident prevention measures. Some industries at first were not eager to accept medical safety programs, and some had to be compelled to do so by legislation. Boxing as an industry has not appreciated the advantages of a sound medical program, and medical reforms in this industry are long overdue. Three channels exist through which reform can come: federal legislation, state legislation, or self-regulation by the National Boxing Association. Following is a brief exposition of the attempt in New York to bring about medical reform. The New York State Legislature in April, 1948, created a Medical Advisory Board 2 to the state athletic commission to consist