Tuberculosis, also known as consumption, is a disease caused by bacteria that usually attacks the lungs. In prior centuries it was a leading cause of death and known as the "Great White Plague". It can progress in two ways. Chronic consumption progresses slowly, as opposed to galloping consumption which moves quickly

As the text indicates, the doctors would not be expected to be able to cure this disease.

Nowadays it's occurrence has been severely reduced by vaccination. When it occurs it is normally treated by long courses of antibiotics. In earlier times it was usually fatal.

The Virgin Mary who appeared in a dream to the mother-in-law of a sick woman, and gave advice on healing. The name Mariam Ana (as the Tartars call the Virgin) means Mother Mary.

Etymology of Ana

It may be that the Armenian church of Sev-Jiam, Gurdjieff refers to, where there is a miraculous icon of the Virgin is the church of St Astvatsatsin or the Yot Vera (Seven Wounds) Church. In Armenian sev-jiam means "black horse."

The miraculous icon of the Virgin is almost certainly the seven wounds Icon in the St Astvatsatsin or Yot Vera Church, which depicts Mary holding the body of Christ which has seven wounds. It is the only well known icon in Gyumri.