[Reflection on combating osteoarticular tuberculosis in Croatia]

On the 125th anniversary of the birth of Bozidar Spisić (1879-1957), the founder of orthopaedics and rehabilitation medicine in Croatia, the author reflects on one segment of Spisić's work, namely on organising the orthopaedic branch in combating osteoarticular tuberculosis (OAT). This disease, together with pulmonary TB, was almost a national scourge in these parts. Efforts in combating OAT in Croatia can be divided into three phases: sporadic treatment of patients in surgical wards or departments (till 1915); development of orthopaedic surgery which entails founding specialised hospital wards and outpatient units which take over full care of OAT patients, as well as the foundation of the first specialised hospital for treatment of OAT (the era of Spisić's activity, 1915-1945); modern era of organised fight against OAT on state level, the introduction of antituberculotics, systematic early detection of the disease, application of BCG vaccination (from 1946 on). Only then was it possible to fulfil goals set out as early as 1919, so OAT was put under control in the 1950s. It must however be borne in mind that under the extinguished fire live coals still smoulder, because OAT has not yet been completely eradicated.