The inflammatory processes which attack the mucous and periosteal lining of the mastoid cells are seldom primary; they generally occur from the extension of an inflammation in the tympanic cavity. An inflammation of the mastoid process is seldom secondary to diseases of the external auditory canal. Traumatic mastoiditis is among the rarest lesions. In short, the mastoid process seems to be immune to acute disease except as a result of infection from a diseased tympanum.
Historically, the subject matter of this paper is of interest in that the name streptothrix is probably invalid as a generic designation among the bacteria. Many authors, however, have used streptothrix (Corda) in place of actinomyces (Hartz). The action of the infection on the body, clinically, is practically the same in two cases.
In 1890, Ginsberg1 reported the case of a business man, aged 30, admitted to a hospital, scarcely able to speak. Trismus