Variables processing in expert system building: application to the aetiological diagnosis of infantile meningitis

We describe a method for the analysis and quantitative synthesis of information in a clinical data file using as an example the aetiological diagnosis of infantile meningitis. The results obtained together with the qualitative knowledge of experts in the field have enabled an experimental system to be constructed. This is performing sufficiently well to be introduced into a hospital environment to assist young doctors facing an emergency situation.