The Probert Encyclopaedia of Medicine

TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious disease in humans and animals caused by the bacteria tubercule bacillus and characterised by the formation of tubercles in bodily tissues, especially the lungs.

Tuberculosis is transmitted through inhalation or through infected dairy products obtained from infected cattle. Traditionally it was thought that tuberculosis (consumption as it was formerly called) was hereditary and incurable. It was discovered in the 19th century that it is neither hereditary nor incurable.
Research Tuberculosis