Apoplexy is usually of sudden onset if it causes loss of consciousness. There are signs of a focal cerebral lesion such as a hemiplegia. There are signs of a subarachnoid bleeding ha occurred and there may also be cardiac disorder associated with embolism. Meningitis: Coma is of gradual once inmost types being preceded by meningeal irritation and fiver but in meningococcal meningitis these signs may only have been present for a few hours. The cerebrospinal fluid is turbid and contains polymorph nuclear leucocytes.