The findings in 135 patients with meningitis due toH. influenzae, N. meningitidisandD. pneumoniaetreated by one of two regimens—either with multiple antimicrobial drugs or a single agent after one to three days of multiple antimicrobial therapy showed no statistical difference in the clinical course, incidence or type of complications. The management of shock and other complications in purulent meningitis in relationship to the development of long-term complications is discussed.