The possibility of limiting tuberculosis rests on our ability either to cure those infected or to prevent the infection of others. What we accomplish in both these fields depends very largely on an early diagnosis of the disease. That persons having pulmonary tuberculosis frequently fail to consult a physician in an early stage of the disease and that physicians frequently fail to diagnose early cases that are presented are well-known facts. How often and for how long a period patients are negligent of their symptoms and how often and for what reasons physicians actually fail to diagnose their cases are not so well understood. Among English writers who have recently called attention to the mistakes tabulated in this article are:
Bronchitis: Trudeau,1 Butler,2 Miner,3 Landis,4 Norris,5 Mohr,6 Pryor.7
Grippe: Bonney,8 Trudeau,1 Koch,9 Hatfield,10 Norris,5 Pryor,7
Hemoptysis: Wells11