Epidemic of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Closed Community

The first scientific study of the epidemiology of tuber- culosis was made by Villemin in 1868. He stressed the high incidence of the disease among those living in closed communities, such as prisoners, inmates of mental institutions, soldiers, and religious bodies. Tuberculosis among troops living in barracks was very common com- pared with those in the field or those living at home. He -quoted, as an example, the Allied armies before Sebasto- pol during the winter of 1854-5. Although these troops were living under most unhygienic conditions, with poor food, and subjected to severe cold and excessive fatigue,