Tuberculosis as a Military Epidemic Disease and its Control by the Navy Tuberculosis Control Program

¹ Chief of Medicine, U. S. Naval Hospital

1. That outbreaks of tuberculosis can and do occur in isolated, close contact situations as microepidemics is well authenticated by previous reported episodes.

2. In the United States, with a diminishing infection rate and an increasing number of negative tuberculin reactors, the setting exists for the development of such from an active case of tuberculosis.

3. The experiences of the U. S. Navy with six shipboard tuberculosis outbreaks is related, with illustration of their development, detection and control.

4. A broad tuberculosis control program, such as is in force in the U. S. Navy is the major factor in the early detection of and control of such outbreaks.

5. The U. S. Navy Tuberculosis Program is described, its implementation outlined, along with the implication of the importance of maintaining tuberculin skin test negativity in the Navy personnel for best control.