[The 80th anniversary of the organization of phthisiatric services in Russia].

The paper outlines the history of foundation of a state phthisiologic service in Russia. In Russia, there was no state antituberculous service before the Soviet power. The date of foundation of a phthisiologic service should be considered October 25, 1918, when the Meeting of the Board of the People's Commissariat of Health of Russia approved the point "On a Tuberculosis Control Section of the People's Commissariat of Health". The Section comprised authoritative scientists and practitioners who had experience in controlling tuberculosis. The section solved problems promptly and on a collective basis. It analyzed and introduced locally adjusted foreign experience in controlling tuberculosis. The decisions made by the Section were sent for their implementation in situ. Antituberculous dispensaries and sanatoria were founded in each administrative unit in a short period. The Section founded the State Tuberculosis Institute in 1921, the Department of Tuberculosis in 1922, began to issue the periodical "Voprosy Tuberkulyoza", or Problems of Tuberculosis, in 1923, and to hold Congresses of Phthisiologists in 1922. The Section was greatly supported by the government and financed by the state. Surveys and treatment are free of charge. The Section tackles both social and medical problems.