83 



5. Meningitis. 



In 5 cases of meningitis in children Pfeiffer's bacillus was 

 found in pure culture in the spinal fluid both microscopically 

 and by cultivation . 



With regard to the first 4 patients' clinical histories the 

 reader is referred to the contributions of Max Christiansen 

 and the author, mentioned in the preface. It will suffice to 

 say here that one of the patients was cured, and 3 others died. 



The 5th. patient was treated in Department No. 5. of the 

 Kommune-Hospital from the 13. IX.— 16. XI. 1921.* The main 

 points in the history are as follows: 



C. L. E. N. 8 years old. Son of a smith. On the day of 

 admission was run over by a motor-car. Fracture of ribs and 

 clavicle, and various contusions were diagnosed. 22. IX. cough, 23. IX. 



temp.— !2 .25. IX. left-sided pneumonia was diagnosed. 17. IX. stiffness 



4U, 4 



of the neck. On lumbar puncture being performed „diplococci" 

 were found, which, from their shape were assumed to be Pneumo- 

 cocci, and so the patient was treated with Pneumococcus serum. 

 In the spinal fluid taken on the 29. IX. Gram-negative „diplococci" 

 and a few Gram-negative rod-shaped elements were found in a 

 stained film. Cultivations on blood-agar and ascitic agar grew Pfeif- 

 fer's bacillus only. 



On cultivating the blood (about 1.5cc), taken on the I. X., in 

 bouillon and on agar containing digested blood, no growth appeared. 



By the 17. X. the stiffness of the neck had disappeared but 

 there were still increased reflexes. On the 16. XI. the patient was 

 discharged with a tendency to strabismus but otherwise cured. 



No connection could be established between the 5 cases. 



It is worth noting that all these 5 cases of meningitis 

 with Pfeiffer's bacillus arose at a time when there was no 

 influenza epidemic. 



It appears from the whole of the literature on the subject, 

 that there is no clear connection between influenza and me- 

 ningitis due to Pfeiffer's bacillus. 



A rather larger number of cases of meningitis caused by 



* For permission to report this case I have to thank the Chief 

 Surgeon, Dr. P. N. Hansen. 



