The patient with diabetes mellitus who becomes unconscious presents a problem in differential diagnosis. We now recognize six possible causes of coma in the diabetic patient. These include the usual diabetic keto-acidosis, and five possible non-ketotic causes: I. Keto-acidosis II. Non-ketotic causes of coma A. Unconsciousness unrelated to diabetes, e.g. barbiturate intoxication, stroke, uremia B. Hypoglycemia C. Lactic acidosis D. Hypernatremia E. Hyperglycemi
