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Ganglion cells were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in whole mount preparations of the albino rat retina, stained with cresylviolet. Cells of different size are distributed in different density over the retina, mainly arranged radially. The ganglion cell density varies between about 1200/mm2 at the edge of the retina and 5000/mm2 in the central area, centered about 1,5--2 mm away from the optic disc in the upper temporal quandrant. The mean soma diameter of the ganglion cells ranged from 7--23 micron. Based upon soma diameter histograms with regard to the eccentricities of the area centralis, ganglion cells were classified into three groups: small (7--10 micrometer diameter) mediumsized (11--14 micrometer) and large (15--23 micrometer). Relative frequencies of these groups were 53, 40 and 7% respectively. In the area centralis is the highest density of small cells. Here the relative frequencies were 62, 34 and 4% respectively. The diameter of the retina runs to 8 mm and the area to more than 40 mm2. In 2 retina the total number of ganglion cells were about 108000 and 111000 respectively.

Several types of neurons are coexistent in the basal forebrain nuclear complex of the rat. In the medial septum and vertical limb of the diagonal band 3 classes of neurons occur which are characterized by varicose dendrites. In the horizontal limb of the diagonal band neurons with smooth dendrites and those with varicose dendrites are intermingled. We found 3 classes of neurons in the nucleus preopticus magnocellularis. A giant type with smooth and varicose dendrites occurs in this nucleus, but also in the substantia innominata. In the substantia innominata-nucleus basalis complex 4 classes of neurons with varicose dendrites and 2 classes with spiny dendrites have been observed. Our findings suggest that the nucleus of the vertical limb of the diagonal band forms a unit with the nucleus septi medialis, but is separated from the nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band by different neuronal composition. The nucleus preopticus magnocellularis is a separate nuclear structure characterized by a content of neurons different from those in the horizontal limb of the diagonal band and in most components also from the substantia innominata-nucleus basalis complex. There is some evidence that the cholinergic neurons have to be searched among those with varicose dendrites.

A multi-channel recorder has been employed for the simultaneous recording of various neuro-physiological parameters such as EEG, respiration, tremor, ECG, PGR, pulse-tracing and EMG. The present pilot study shows that of all parameters only EEG, pulse-form, PGR and EMG are of high diagnostic value. The importance of these records, in conjunction with neuro-clinical findings, in the differential diagnosis of ergotropic and trophotropic forms of attacks, as well as their differentiation from epileptic fits is pointed out. The pulse-form described in detail, particularly the characteristics of the "ergotropic pulse-form". The special advantage of the present method lies in its non-aggressive nature. Operational details are given in order to facilitate comparisons.