Tuberculosis on Display: Tuberculosis Travelling Museums in Wilhelmine Germany

Abstract

Abstract At the beginning of the twentieth century, the overcoming of chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis, venereal disease and alcoholism became a central issue in public health measures in Europe. Tuberculosis had the highest mortality rate among these three illnesses and was therefore a particular priority. Anti-tuberculosis campaigns gained momentum. This article focuses on one particular form of communication that sought to convey information about this illness: the travelling museum. An ‘exhibition era’ had started in Europe in the mid-nineteenth century, and health education campaigns of the time favoured the use of exhibitions, for example the Dresden International Hygiene Exhibition of 1911, as an educational medium. As this article shows, tuberculosis exhibitions were first established on the initiative of local organizations, but their number grew as a result of cooperation between central organizations and local advocates. Instructions were issued for how travelling exhibits might be displayed and advertised, and when they departed the exhibitions often left behind a new energy for tackling the problems associated with tuberculosis. While the exhibits sought to communicate scientifically established facts, the article notes that issues that were pending resolution were also raised without recognition of ongoing debate. By the 1920s, travelling museums as a means of communication were being overtaken by film.