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[Information campaigns in the fight against tuberculosis until about 1940]
1Historisk institutt Universitetet i Bergen Sydnesplass 7, 5007 Bergen. ida.blom@hi.uib.no
Background:
Already before the advent of vaccination and antibiotics in Norway in the 1940s, mortality from tuberculosis was heavily reduced. Initiatives from central and local authorities, the efforts of housewives in the homes and the activity of voluntary organizations were attempts to obtain this result. This article focuses on information campaigns staged by the National Association Against Tuberculosis between 1910 and 1920.
Material:
Annual reports from the National Association, the Association's journal, the archive from the Lyster Sanatorium in the Bergen Town Archives, and earlier literature on this theme.
Results:
The Association Against Tuberculosis organised extensive information campaigns through lectures, leaflets, its journal, and "travelling teachers", targeting the general public as well as defined groups. Men were especially admonished to stop spitting, women to keep the home clean, and patients to follow doctor's instructions.
Interpretation:
The information campaigns were part of comprehensive efforts made by voluntary organizations, public authorities, doctors and housewives to reduce the mortality of tuberculosis before the advent of vaccination. Higher standards of living also contributed to goal attainment.