This presentation of cases and review of the literature were prompted by a case of meningococcic arthritis (the patient was seen at Bellevue Hospital during the aftermath of cerebrospinal meningitis) which went on to destroy several joints and produce ankylosis. This was contrary to my understanding of the prognosis in this condition. Preliminary investigation in the standard textbooks of medicine, including the various larger systems, revealed only cursory mention of this complication of epidemic meningitis.
Thus Herrick,1 in Cecil's "Textbook of Medicine," said only that arthritis and arthralgias may occur and complicate the diagnosis in the early stages and that the prognosis is usually good. Leake,2 in Tice's "Practice of Medicine," stated that the outcome of arthritis due to the meningococcus is not as serious as might be imagined and that there tends to be spontaneous and complete recovery. Rolleston and Andrewes,3 in Nelson's system of medicine,