Journal of the American Medical Association · 1924 · 15 citations · 0 references
MedicineNeurological SurgeryNeurosurgeryCerebrovascular SurgeryNeuroanatomyNeuropathologyCentral Nervous SystemDrainage ProceduresIrrigation DrainageNervous System PathologySubarachnoid HemorrhageCerebrospinal Fluid SystemNeuropathologic Autopsy FindingsNeurosurgical DrainageSubarachnoid SpaceSurgical Treatment Discussion
The treatment of meningitis is still in its infancy. This paper, my third on this subject, is an attempt to place its surgical treatment on a basis that is in accord with neuropathologic findings. When I adopted subarachnoid irrigation, three years ago, I,<sup>1</sup>with the rest of the profession, was trying to develop a method of drainage for the cerebrospinal fluid system. Later<sup>2</sup>I realized that, on mechanical grounds, irrigation was impossible, while, from physiologic considerations, drainage of the system was fallacious. This paper embodies my experience during the last two years. I have analyzed my cases, both successful and otherwise, and have attempted to interpret them in the light of our present knowledge of applied pathology of the cerebrospinal system. <h3>MENINGITIS</h3> The cerebrospinal system is of late development. Phylogenetically, it is the last of the chain of circulatory systems that life has evolved. It has a relationship