A mild epidemic of German measles hit the University and Radcliffe this week. Twenty measles patients are currently in Stillman Infirmary, while the 'Cliffe Health Center reports eight cases of both regular and German types.

Measles strikes Cambridge and the eastern seaboard strongly every three or four years, according to Simon B. Kelleher, city medical health officer. This year is the peak of the cycle.

Students contracted the disease before the vacation, for the incubation period is 10 to 14 days. Preliminary symptoms are a sore throat and swollen glands. Fever and a rash appear later. Although German measles is a three-day disease, regular measles last at least one week.

Stillman officials termed the size of the outbreak "just a bit unusual." One Radcliffe nurse called the situation "a slight edidemic."