Primary peritonitis in children and adults.

Five cases of primary peritonitis are presented, with a sixth related case of pneumococcal peritonitis secondary to a ruptured ovarian cyst. The patients comprised 4 young girls who recovered, and 2 elderly females who died. Pneumococci were isolated in 3 patients; no organism was found in the other 3. One case of primary measles peritonitis has no apparent precedent.