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.