The Modern Attack on Tuberculosis.

Abstract

Two of the nation's best phthisiologists have condensed into this small handbook of some 120 pages the essential parts of present day concepts of tuberculosis. First the development of the modern methods of attack on the disease is discussed. This is followed by an interesting chapter on epidemiology. The authors list five outstanding discoveries which have greatly contributed to knowledge of tuberculosis. These are Auenbrugger's demonstration of percussion, in 1761; the invention of the stethoscope by Laennec; Koch's discovery of the tubercle bacillus, in 1882, and of tuberculin, and Roentgen's discovery. The knowledge and the tools are at hand, the authors believe, completely to eradicate tuberculosis, perhaps, within a couple of generations. All that is required is their effective application. Methods of case finding, organization of programs for community campaigns for control of tuberculosis and the role of the sanatorium in control and treatment are carefully discussed. Perhaps public health