[Diagnosis and course of tuberculosis especially from the viewpoint of clinically unknown deaths]

Every time the tuberculosis is present and it is to be included in the differentialdiagnosis if the occasion arrises. In the anamnesis it is necessary to pay attention to specific diseases and the risk groups like patients with "21-day-cough", silicotics, "Contrast-articularis bronchitics", diabetics, so-called "persons with fibrotic lesions" and patients with frequent influenzal infections. The symptoms unclear gastric distress, want of appetite, indifferent loss in weight, uneasiness, slight vertigo and fast tiredness already give further references. Breath-pain, haemoptysis and subfebrile temperatures are already severe symptoms. A thorax X ray-photograph, tuberculin test, heamogram, sedimentation test and intensive search for mycobacteria, belong to the diagnosis. In extrapulmonary foci the search for mycobacteria is to try by swab, puncture, control of urine and menstrual blood. It is possible, that a histologic corroboration will be necessary. Unclear fever, headache and vomiting with or without dyspnoea, cyanosis and diaphragmatic lowness indicate a ocular reflection, liver biopsy and, in special case, a lumbar puncture without delay. Sooner or later the course of an unrecognized phthisis can result in death. It is necessary to fill up the gap between welltime diagnosis and death by unknown tuberculosis. That means: Thorough knowledge of matter, insight into the disease-course and inducement of all necessary diagnostic possibilities.