Introduction Nontuberculous purulent pericarditis of bacterial origin was associated with a case fatality rate of 100% prior to the utilization of surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy. In 1941, Strieder1observed that this rate had been reduced to 50% by the introduction of surgical drainage. A further reduction occurred with the addition of antibiotic therapy. The purpose of this study is to present the results of a ten-year experience in the pediatric age group employing the principles of adequate drainage of the pericardial sac in conjunction with antibiotic therapy. No effort has been made to evaluate the effectiveness of specific antibiotics. Because of the serious nature of the disease, no control series is presented but previous reports are used for comparison. The frequency of positive diagnosis is compared with former reports. Material and Methods All patients admitted to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital from 1952 to 1962 with the diagnosis of