Encephalitis Complicating Measles

The central nervous system in childhood is known for its instability and vulnerability to toxins, bacteria and viruses. The exanthematous diseases are responsible for a large part of the disturbances of the central nervous system in childhood. Measles iscomplicated by symptoms referable to the central nervous system more frequently than any other of the communicable diseases. The development of these complications is always of great interest and concern both to the pediatrician and to the neurologist. MATERIAL During the first six months of 1941, Greater New York experienced an extensive epidemic of measles. Nearly 80,000 cases were reported from January 1 to June 30,1and in 60 of these the measles was complicated by encephalitis. This was an unduly large number of cases of encephalitis considering the relative mildness of the epidemic. During this period, we treated at the Kingston Avenue Hospital 1,213 patients with measles and 23