Coma

(ko'-mah). In biology, any tuft, as the top of a pineapple, the hairs on the end of a seed, etc. Coma. Abnormally deep and prolonged sleep, with the cerebral functions in abeyance;it is due to many conditions affecting the cerebrum directly or indirectly. The well-marked form is characterized by stertorous breathing, relaxation of the sphincters, lividity of the face, and lo of parallelism of the optic axes. C, Alcohol, that due to poisoning by alcohol. C, Apoplectic, that due to apoplexy. C. diaceticum, a form of coma occurring in carcinoma of the stomach and in diabetes. It is due to the presence of diacetic acid in the system. It is also called Diabetic coma. C. Ku maul's. See Kmsmaul. C, Uremic, that due to uremia C. Vigil, a comatose condition in which the patient lies with open eyes, but unconscious and delirious. This is occasionally met with in typhoid and typhus fevers, and in delirium tremens.