30,000 Per 100,000

In some parts of the world tuberculosis is now so well under control that its eradication is contemplated.

Here lies one of the great opportunities of the medical profession which possesses information and armamentarium to accomplish this goal.

With the tuberculin test all persons harboring tubercle bacilli can be identified. They have multiple lesions, some of which are large and can be located but most of which are microscopical. X-ray film inspection of chests reveals gross lesions but misses all others. Among the tuberculin reactors with clear x-ray films, many will have gross lesions evolve later. Therefore, periodic x-ray film inspections of their chests are necessary to harvest this crop while the lesions are minimal, asymptomatic, non-contagious, and most treatable. When periodic examinations are not done, late harvest yields a preponderance of advanced cases.

Tuberculin reactors have multiple tuberculous lesions even though they are well and present clear x-ray films of their chests. In reality, each reactor is a case of tuberculosis and must be managed as such to keep his tubercle bacilli corralled.

If tuberculosis eradication is desired, each community, county, and state should locate the existing tubercle bacilli which are in the bodies of people and animals who react to tuberculin and act accordingly.

Physicians must do the diagnostic and therapeutic work. Thus, they should initiate and perpetuate such work everywhere. Cooperation with all organizations and individuals is essential to insure community-wide participation. Precedents have already been set by medical organizations. Private offices of physicians can constitute our best tuberculosis eradication centers.

Tuberculosis eradication is a national defense measure, and the opportunity to accomplish it should not be overlooked by the medical profession.