TB: A wasting affection of the Lungs
Tuberculosis (also known as TB), is a disease with devastating health, social, economic and cultural consequences. Greeks called it pthisis, and Romans called it consumption. Both these words mean “getting wasted”, or to “whither away”. We also know it as “white plague“, with sufferers becoming pale, before dying. Symptoms of this illness, namely fever, weight loss, cough, and coughing out blood are well described since ages. A German physician Johann Lukas Schonlein, first used the word “tuberkulose” or “tuberculosis” in 1832. This term means lumps, or tubercles that are pathologic hallmark of the disease. While it could affect all organs, lungs are principle sites of this affection.
Lungs are a paired organ, that make us breathe. They are principal sites of affection for TB. Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius first described consequences of consumption in the lungs. In his book published in 1679, he recognised scrofula and nodules in lung as part of the same disease. This work was a beginning of understanding of this disease, which eventually affects different areas of both lungs.
Early notions about nature of TB
Ancient and medieval physicians were unaware about person-to-person transmission of TB. Girolamo Fracastorius, an Italian Physician first described transmission of various diseases in early 1500s. He rightly believed that diseases like TB and syphillis could spread by tiny invisible “spores”. Benjamin Martin in 1720, and Jean Villeman in 1865 provided evidence that TB was contagious. These evidences were not well accepted at that time, and the credit was not be theirs.
Robert Koch: Discovery of TB-bacillus
Robert Koch, announced discovery of TB-bacillus on 24th March 1882. He also described its transmission dynamics. An article in medical journal Chest, pens philatelic ode to collective efforts of many in unravelling the mysteries of TB.
Robert Koch first described TB bacillus. Medical term for this structure is acid-fast bacillus (or AFB), seen as a pink rod like structure, seen under a microscope, using Ziehl-Neelson staining (ZN stain). These pink bacilli as well as Robert Koch were celebrated by various countries in postage stamps issued in 1982. This was the centenary of this remarkable discovery.
Two stamp-set from Poland depicts Robert Koch and Ode Bujwid (1857-1942). Bujwid founded first bacteriology laboratory in Poland. He also developed a novel method to produce “tuberculin” (an extract of TB-bacillus).
The road ahead
Discovery of TB-bacillus was a game changer. It changed the way TB was diagnosed, and treated. The same organism was identified in monkeys and in cattle. Extract of the bacillus or tuberculin was initially used to treat TB, and later on to diagnose hidden or latent TB. Physicians also started understanding TB better. About a decade later, Roentgen discovered X-rays.
We opened doors to conquer the disease. Struggle however, was not yet over. We cover these struggles in our next blog.
Very informative !!
Well collated information, looking forward for the sequel š
Thats wonderful information on TB, using a novel method to convey the same. Excellent wirk, Rajnish.
Interesting and fun way to learn about TB and was a little curious to know if our country had any stamp with related to healthš
Many. Please follow the blogs, you will indeed find some.
Thanks š
Remarkable collection of TB stamps, #Creative #learning , Thank you with regards sir.
Informative and interesting sir ..
Remarkable & extremely informative. Great collection of stamps on TB and itās historical research & diagnostic journey. Thanks for sharing š
Wonderful collection also very informative sir
This is a precious piece of information with beautiful roadmap through your collection
Very creative and concise medical information with history.Congratulations Sir on this unique presentation of medical history
Good collection Rajnish. Very informative.
It is a wonderful write up about history of TB and relating the history with postal stap collection makes it a creative work.
Enjoyed reading it..
Are Topic related/ celebrated stamps such as TB or health care related available at the post offices? If yes, maybe hospitalās official posts can use these only as a trademark. A fun way of promoting the otherwise decline stamps and postal usage.
Very innovative. Load of creativity and a very beautiful way to to travel the path.
Must congratulate you for such exhaustive collection of stamps on TB.
A very unique and interesting way to share the knowledge ! Both about the disease and the stamps. Thanks for sharing.
Such a good collection of information.
Very nice and informative.
Very novel way to share information, thank and regards
Wonderful !!
Really loved the concept. It has so many elements.
Very nice application of philately in Medicineš
Very nice write up on a very relevant disease of our times. Would definitely use this blog for presentations on TB to introduce the audience to the history of this disease.
Very informative and explained in detail.
Gud way to share knowledge.
“ą¤ą„ą¤·ą¤Æ ą¤°ą„ą¤”,as aptly named in Hindi..very informative and colorful presentation of a very gloomy disease..great endeavour sir..
Very well written blog. A collection of rare stamps and very informative. It denotes a mixture of knowledge with creativity.
Creative and informative article sir.
Amazing idea and presentation of info sir. Thank you for this wonderful piece of information.
Commendable efforts…much informative especially for the microbiologists
An extremely insightful writeup that is uniquely intriguing and equally informative.
Very impressive way to enlighten everyone with history and facts. Kudos Dr Rajneesh
Awesome and precious
Very creative and informative article..
Very creative and informative article.
Very informative ,Thank you sir .