[Tuberculosis in the 19th and 20th centuries: epidemiology and the role of urban health programmes in tuberculosis prevention in Bologna].
The author reports the scenario in which the bacteriological revolution arose and developed during the 19th century. In this period medical research improved its theoretical basis and clinical practice, and aimed at becoming an exact science. Scientific discoveries in the field of microbiology and growing social and sanitary awareness conferred a very particular specificity on tubercular disease: this pathology was defined a work-induced infectious disease, as L. Devoto stated at the beginning of the twentieth century. After introductory statements, we present statistical and epidemiological research carried out in the 19th century among populations of workers, and studies that show the relationship between the diffusion of the tuberculosis epidemic and the high concentration of people in degraded urban areas. We also present statistics on tuberculosis mortality in the Kingdom of Italy, the region of Emilia Romagna, and in Bologna. Finally, we briefly describe the urban improvement measures performed in the Bologna area after the unification of Italy (1860), which allowed contagion to be reduced, as well as both the mortality and morbidity rate in this urban area.
Sabbatani
Sergio
S
U. O. di Malattie Infettive, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy; D012106:Research / Q000266:history; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D014504:Urban Health / Q000266:history*; D014505:Urban Population; D014506:Urban Renewal / Q000266:history