The Tuberculosis Movement: A Public Health Campaign in the Progressive Era

(Hardback)

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Description

The Tuberculosis Movement presents a detailed description of the evolution of the American tuberculosis movement from its inception in the late 19th century to its maturity in 1917. As Teller demonstrates, the tuberculosis movement during this era pioneered many of the methods of contemporary public health--the voluntary association dedicated to eradicating a specific disease, close cooperation between physicians and laity and between public and private agencies, and campaigns of mass public education. The most comprehensive study of the movement to date, this book contains a wealth of information not found in any other history of the campaign against tuberculosis, including full accounts of the backgrounds, motivations, and ideology of the movement's leadership; the origins and activities of the state and local associations and their cooperation with other groups in the fight to control the disease; the educational campaign mounted by the movement's leadership; and public health measures and institutions established to restrict the spread of the disease.

Reviews

In 1957, Richard H. Shryock published a very fine history of the National Tuberculosis Association. Teller's study builds on Shryock's pioneering study, describing and analyzing the crusade against tuberculosis in the US from the last decades of the 19th century to 1917, when it had matured into what the author calls 'a modern health campaign.' Based on an extensive reading of primary and secondary sources, including manuscript materials, Teller provides a cogent account of a most important aspect of the history of American public health. This book is highly recommended for collections related to urban history, the history of medicine and public health, and American social history; the author is to be congratulated on a job well done.-Choice
"In 1957, Richard H. Shryock published a very fine history of the National Tuberculosis Association. Teller's study builds on Shryock's pioneering study, describing and analyzing the crusade against tuberculosis in the US from the last decades of the 19th century to 1917, when it had matured into what the author calls 'a modern health campaign.' Based on an extensive reading of primary and secondary sources, including manuscript materials, Teller provides a cogent account of a most important aspect of the history of American public health. This book is highly recommended for collections related to urban history, the history of medicine and public health, and American social history; the author is to be congratulated on a job well done."-Choice

Author Bio

MICHAEL E. TELLER teaches at Kenwood Academy in Chicago.