The eruptive fevers are all divided into three stages, namely: a stage of invasion or development; a second stage when the eruption appears, and while it lasts; and a third stage, that of _desquamation_, when the eruption begins to fade or exfoliate in branny scales. (_j_) Measles is generally a mild and not serious disease, and only attacks the individual but once in a lifetime; only through gross carelessness the disease becomes complicated, and then it may become a very dangerous affection. It begins with all the symptoms of a common cold. There is frequent sneezing, and an acrid muco-serous discharge from the nostrils. The eyes are irritable, reddened and watery, and there is more or less intolerance of light. The voice becomes hoarse and there is always a bronchitis present which is characterized by a dry, harsh cough. The patient is generally feverish, alternating with chilly sensations or shivering; the appetite is poor or absent and in some cases there is nausea and vomiting. The children feel drowsy; they complain of pain in the head and limbs and want to lounge around. The bowels may be constipated, but diarrhœa supervenes in a certain proportion of cases. In nervous children convulsions may occur; bleeding from the nose and false croup are not infrequently met with in the development of this disease. The duration of the first stage varies greatly in different individuals, and comprises a period extending from one to seven days. The eruption begins generally on the temples and forehead, whence it extends over the head and neck, thence down the back and over the entire body, occupying in its development from thirty-six to forty-eight hours. The eruption bears a resemblance to flea bites at first; it appears as minute red specks which gradually enlarge and become slightly elevated and arrange themselves in circular clusters. The portions of the skin that are free from the eruption retain their white appearance; the face is more or less swollen and the eyelids puffed. In some patients there is considerable annoyance from itching in the skin. The cough and bronchitis continue to be prominent symptoms, and the expectoration, consisting of yellowish sputa becomes abundant. In some children the fever runs very high in this stage and they become delirious and restless, but this is only temporary, for it generally diminishes with the eruption on the third or fourth day. When the eruption begins to fade the third stage of the affection is inaugurated, and when there exist no complications, the patient may now be considered on the way to recovery which takes from four to eight days longer.