The white death—tuberculosis In the 19th century, despite other contagious diseases, the major cause of mortality was tuberculosis (figure 2). Yet rates of tuberculosis were already falling, with best estimates suggesting that mortality reached its peak at the start of the 19th century.16 However, this decline is better documented for the latter part of the century (figure 3) and was recorded in all parts of the world.17 Mortality in cities was higher than in rural areas, but was also falling...