Abstract
Cytometrical investigations were carried out on 20 bovine brains with different stages of encephalitis as well as on normal brains. The number and distribution of glial and nerve cells were determined and the results were evaluated statistically. The density of the nerve cells was found to be less in the basal ganglia than in the cerebral cortex ($x 82.9 and $x 110.4 in 324 mm2 respectively). In the normal condition the neuroglia are evenly distributed (Basal ganglia $x 285.5 and cerebral cortex $x 277.1). A great increase in glial cells could be observed in the advanced stages of encephalitis (Basal ganglia $x 392.8, cerebral cortex $x 335.5). An increase in satellite cells was also observed in encephalitis as well as in the pre-encephalitic phase. The degree of increase in satellitosis was found to correspond to the stage of encephalitis. An increase in satellitosis can also be considered as a sign of the pre-encephalitic phase.