[20 years' therapy with high doses of chloramphenicol in bacterial inflammations of the meninges].

The authors present their experience with the treatment of bacterial meningitis with large doses of chloramphenicol (200 mg/kg body weight per day by the i.v. route in three doses) in bacterial meningitis caused by common agents (i.e. Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis). They discuss the toxicity of chloramphenicol, complications, draw attention to contraindication of treatment with large doses. Treatment of bacterial meningitis with large doses of chloramphenicol is safe, if controlled as described. This is confirmed also by authors abroad. Cephalosporins of the third generation are indicated above all in bacterial meningitis caused by Gram-negative microorganisms.