Meningitis in infants and children with special reference to age-incidence and bacteriologic diagnosis

Summary 1. The susceptibility of infants to infection is apparent from the age distribution of the various etiologic types of meningitis. The majority of cases of each type occur during the first two years of life. 2. The frequency of the occurrence of influenzal meningitis is pointed out. 3. The characteristics of the spinal fluid are discussed for the various types of meningitis from the point of view of practical etiologic diagnosis. 4. The superiority of chocolate agar as a routine spinal fluid culture medium is emphasized. 5. Summaries of nine cases of meningitis due to various members of the colon group of bacilli are presented. In addition one case due to the Friedlander bacillus is presented.