Abscess of the brain is not a common affection and it is not rarely overlooked. It is almost invariably secondary to suppuration elsewhere, although it may be a sequel of direct injury to the head. Inflammatory disease of the middle ear is probably the most common causative factor. The symptoms are essentially those of a tumor of the brain plus those of a toxic-infective process. The diagnosis may be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, without a knowledge of the etiologic agency. In the case to be reported it should have been possible to recognize the condition and to afford relief through surgical measures.
History.
—A woman, aged 35, was admitted to the nervous ward of the Philadelphia General Hospital, Feb. 5, 1909, complaining of headache, pain in the back and legs and abdomen, with nausea, vomiting and pain in the left ear. The illness was said to have been of