In 1921 when I entered practice after declining an invitation to continue in the academic fold, I asked my friend, Wilburt Davison, whether I should apply for membership in the American Pediatric Society. He very kindly explained that things were not done that way. I shall not discuss the devious means by which I finally crawled under the tent. Last spring while on a honeymoon in Europe I was told that I had been given the presidency as a wedding present. I appreciate the honor and thank you all. Along with the honor of the office comes the formidable task of delivering a presidential address. In reading over the speeches of my predecessors I was much impressed with their high standards, and I feel quite incapable of equaling their excellence in philosophizing upon the pathways of pediatric practice, education, or research. In fact all the geographic landmarks such as the