[Influence of pathogenesis of purulent meningitis on the prognosis (author's transl)].

1. Where a purulent meningitis develops in association with a cyclic infectious disease (e.g. meningococcal meningitis), the prognosis is to be designated good, provided that it is diagnosed early and that no Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is present and that adequate treatment is carried out. 2. In transmitted meningitis after purulent processes in the head region (sinusitis, otitis media), in addition to early diagnosis and antibiotic therapy the suppurating focus must also be cleared out in time. 3. The worst prognosis is for a purulent meningitis associated with sepsis, because here there must not only be early recognition and treatment of the meningitis, but also the recognition and treatment of the septic focus.