Carlo Forlanini, inventor of artificial pneumothorax for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

The year 1882 was an annus mirabilis in the history of pulmonary tuberculosis, for it saw not only the discovery of the tubercle bacillus by Robert Koch but also the introduction of artificial pneumothorax treatment by Carlo Forlanini. At that time Koch's spectacular achievements and the exaggerated expectations raised after the introduction of tuberculin tended to overshadow the significance of Forlanini's contribution to the management of pulmonary tuberculosis. In modem times drug treatment has eclipsed the former methods of collapse therapy, but for some 40 years before the introduction of antituberculous drugs artificial pneumothorax offered hope and in many cases cure to tuberculous patients around the world. The centenary of the start of Forlaninis pioneer work on collapse therapy in pulmonary tuberculosis provides a suitable occasion to pay tribute to this great Italian phthisiologist (fig 1).