APOLOGY, in its usual sense, an expression of regret for something which has been wrongfully said or done; a withdrawal or retraction of some charge or imputation which is false. For the legal significance of this see LIBEL AND SLANDER.
The word "apology" or "apologia" is also used in the sense of defence or vindication, the only meaning of the Greek airoXoyia, especially of the defence of a doctrine or system, or of religious breathing continues. He appears to be in a deep sleep, from which he cannot be roused; the breathing is laboured and stertorous, and is accompanied with puffing out of the cheeks ; the pulse may be beating more strongly than natural, and the face is often flushed. The reflexes are abolished. Although apoplexy may occur without paralysis, and paralysis without apoplexy, there is in most cases definite evidence of paralysis affecting usually one side of the body in addition to the coma. Thus the pupils are unequal; there may be asymmetry of the face, or the limbs may be more rigid or flaccid on one side than on the other. These signs of localized dis ease enable a distinction to be made from the coma of narcotic poisoning and alcoholic intoxication. It must be borne in mind that a person smelling strongly of liquor and found lying in the street in a comatose state may be suffering from apoplexy, and the error of sending a dying man to a police cell may be avoided by this knowledge. If the fit is only moderately severe, the reflexes soon return, and the patient may in a few hours show indications of returning consciousness by making some movements or opening his eyes when spoken to, although later it may be found that he is unable to speak, or may be paralysed or mentally afflicted (see PARALYSIS). In severe cases the coma deepens and the patient dies, usually from interference with the breathing, or, less com monly, from arrest of the heart's action. Apoplexy may be rapidly fatal but very seldom is instantly fatal.