Meningitis

(mèn-in-ji'tis.) [Same der iv.] (Med.) Inflammation of a membrane, and especially of the meninges (q. v.). Scarlatina, measles, and other diseases caused by a blood-poison, may induce it in children. In adult life, the disease may often be traced to the action of typhus and marsh poisons, to intemperance, sunstroke, mechanical injuries, . When the disease is due to any of the above-named blood-poisons, or to any constitutional cause, little can be done effectually in the way of special treatment. When it arises from mechanical injuries, bleeding, calomel, active purgatives, and cold applications to the head are often of use. [s. 592]