[Problems of tuberculosis in the world today].

A century after Robert Koch's discovery of the tubercle bacillus the world total of tuberculosis sufferers is estimated at 20 million, 10 million of whom are contagious. Contrary to a widespread opinion, tuberculosis has not regressed over the last 30 years because it chiefly affects the Third World, in which countries the population doubles every 20 or 25 years while economic resources remain static for the majority of the population. Tuberculosis will be a serious problem of world health in the year 2000. These facts should stimulate physicians to exploit the technical possibilities to the full, with stress upon detection and chemotherapy of tuberculosis. A health program will need to be established for these nations which will make it possible to identify and treat the maximum number of sources of infection. All the investigations and efforts at international cooperation in the field of tuberculosis should be directed towards improving or intensifying national antituberculosis programs.