Below The Magic Mountain - A Social History Of Tuberculosis In Twentieth Century Britain.

Tuberculosis was perceived for the first time in the early twentieth century as a major problem warranting state involvement in a national campaign for its eradication. This book examines the rise of the anti-tuberculosis movement in Britain, and the development of a new public health service and medical specialism, discussing why the campaign took the particular form it did. The importance of the study lies in its conception of medical history not as a series of scientific discoveries and technological developments, but as an integral part of a broader social and political scene.

It was not until the early 20th century that tuberculosis was perceived in Britain as a major problem warranting state involvement in a national campaign for its eradication. This original study examines the rise of the anti-tuberculosis movement and the subsequent development of a new public health service and medical specialism. Bryder conceives of medical history not as a series of scientific discoveries and technological developments, but as an integral part of a broader social and political arena, and discusses the experiences of individual patients and public perceptions of the disease.