[Toxic shock syndrome].

Since the description of the toxic shock syndrome as a disease entity approximately 700 cases have been reported, mainly in young women during their period using tampons. The cause is thought to be toxins of Staph. aureus. The disease was now observed in a 13-year-old girl, presenting as severe acute septicaemia. The aetiopathogenetic connection with use of tampons could only be established during a second, entirely identical, illness, occurring again precisely 3 days after the onset of the following period.