Preface
This book was written by my father, H J Viherjuuri, after many years of research into the history and customs of the sauna, or Finnish bath. His enthusiasm for this most characteristic of Finnish institutions was such that he wanted to see it enjoyed outside as well as inside Finland. Before his death, this book, originally written in Finnish, had been translated into Swedish and German, and it was his hope to see it also in English. I am therefore very grateful to the various translators and in particular to Wendy Hall, who has supervised the final version, who have made possible this English edition.
It is to the memory of my father that I would like to dedicate it.
--- Helsinki, February 1952
--- Irmeli Viherjuuri

Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otavan kirjapaino Helsinki 1952