MICROBE OF RHEUMATIC FEVER 193 



The fever may run from thirteen to twenty-one 

 days. Attention and tender nursing are usually the 

 only services required. Keep the patient in bed. 

 Use only flannel, flannel robes, blankets. Easily 

 digested diet, with plenty of cold water at all times. 



Remember the patient is in a condition which 

 renders him peculiarly predisposed to other dis- 

 eases. Therefore look out for complications. Use 

 disinfectants freely. No visitors allowed. Avoid 

 the doctor, if possible. He visits other patients 

 with contagious and infectious diseases. From 

 them he may bring germs. If called at all, require 

 that his clothing and hands be sterilized before en- 

 tering the patient's room. Impertinence, if neces- 

 sary, is better than to run risk. 



Above all, be patient yourself, and your patient 

 will recover in due time. Not until two or three 

 weeks after recovery should the patient engage in 

 active business. The heart has been sorely tried; 

 needs rest for regaining former strength before ex- 

 citement. 



