Brain injury in boxing.

This lecture on activism via forensic medicine for the public good was given in honor of Milton Helpern. Boxing dates from antiquity but is now being re-evaluated as a viable part of civilized society. Chronic brain damage caused by repetitive subconcussive blows to the head has been shown to be present in 70-87% of boxers who had had many fights. A broad international medical consensus supports the view that boxing is medically and morally wrong and should be banned in civilized countries.