Tuberculosis in physicians.

Abstract

Tuberculosis has long taken a large toll in the health and life of physicians. Apparently it has been a serious problem among students from the earliest days of medical teaching. As sanatoriums were established, many were partially or completely staffed by physicians who had developed clinical tuberculosis as students or recent graduates. Dr. G. M. Meade, present executive director of the Trudeau Sanatorium, Trudeau, N. Y., stated that from Oct. 1, 1920, to Nov. 30, 1953, there were 6,850 first admissions and that 647 (9.49% ) of these were medical students and physicians. Many more have been treated in other sanatoriums. Our professional observations on tuberculosis among students and graduates began in the fall of 1920, when a weighty problem existed at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. A review of the literature revealed no record of a serious attempt having been made anywhere to solve this problem. Numerous opinions were expressed,