There was a period of time in the late sixties and early seventies when public health specialists thought the war on infectious disease was being won. This over-confidence proved disastrous. Old scourges have re-emerged to become public health problems of enormous consequence. Tuberculosis, perhaps as old as man itself, is an excellent example. The Greeks referred to TB as "phthinein”, meaning “to waste away.” In the middle ages it was known as "White Death". Later, it became "Consumption". Considering the length of time it has been with us, the name "tuberculosis" itself is relatively new. Read more »