The epidemiology and prognosis of pyogenic meningitis were reviewed by a study of 294 patients of different age groups. Peculiarities in medical practice in African countries, where they affect the prognosis, were stressed. Age, level of consciousness and bacteriology are important prognostic factors. Massive health education campaigns, dialogues among traditional healers, pharmacists and orthodox clinicians in order to limit the sphere of activity of each group strictly to its level of competence, may help in producing a more responsible attitude to this disease.