This case is reported not with the thought that it will be particularly instructive, but more because it represents an unusual circumstance, in that a diagnosis of a septicemia of otitic origin was made with as much certainty as is the rule and that the patient recovered without operative intervention.
It again raises the question relative to the ease with which surgical sinus thrombosis should be recognized. Cases of septicemia apparently complicating acute surgical mastoid disease are seen. Likewise, there are cases in which a diagnosis is made, but at operation disease of the sinus is not disclosed. Experience with such cases and the one about to be reviewed would tend to make one feel less certain of recognizing sinus thrombosis, that is, in cases requiring a mastoid operation, with or without the sinus and jugular operation following.
R. H., aged 6, on June 5, 1926, during an