Abscess of the brain originates from septic encephalitis and is not considered amenable to surgical treatment until encapsulation of the abscess takes place. Many of the symptoms after encapsulation, as well as the results of treatment, will depend either on the persistence of the original encephalitis or on a recrudescence of the condition. The mild disturbances of the so-called latent stage of many abscesses may be explained by the disappearance of the diffuse inflammation that characterizes the stage of development and capsule formation.
A successful outcome in the treatment of brain abscess depends largely on the removal of the localized infection without the production of an extensive encephalitis. Successful operative treatment, particularly of deeply seated abscesses, must strictly conform to this principle.
A diagnosis of brain abscess is rarely made in the first stage of its development, but reasonablegrounds for diagnosis after encapsulation may be found in the history of