Sir John Crofton, recognised as a leading pioneer in the treatment of tuberculosis has died aged 97. He first came to international prominence in 1948 with a paper reporting a trial of the use of streptomycin with TB patients (1). This study is now regarded as a major contribution in the development of clinical trial methods, as well as being a key advance in TB treatment. He went on to develop the “Edinburgh method” involving the combination of three drugs to cure TB.

The method still forms the mainstay of TB treatment half a century later. This reflects the relative lack of research into the disease during most of that period. Thankfully, the last few years have seen an end to the neglect of TB research.

An obituary of Sir John has been published in the Independent newspaper.

Reference
1. Medical Research Council (1948). Streptomycin treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Br Med J; 2(4582):769-782.