Measles

(mē'ziz.) [ Teut. maselen.] (Med.) A well known blood-disease. Persons of all ages are liable to its attacks; but it is more common in young children, and rarely affects an individual a second time. The symptoms are a swelling and inflammation of the eyes, hoarsene , cough, drowsine , and, about the fourth day, an eruption of small red spots. In ordinary uncomplicatedM., the prognosis is most always favorable. The chief danger is from inflammation of some of the textures that compose the lungs; and in scrofulous children, it often leaves chronic pulmonary mischief behind it. It is communicable from person to person. [s. 587]