THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE PRACTITIONER THE private practitioner is the keystone in any sound community Health program. In no phase of the work is this more true than in the control of tuberculosis. He is the major hope in finding the early case, for whom so much can be done. The thoroughness with which he makes his examination will, in a large measure, determine the extent to which this most promising type of case may be found. A careful and complete physical examination of the patient, therefore, is the first requisite in making diagnosis.