Thompson: The Cardiac Case 



25 



suffering to the outsider. Yet by a little extra exertion this man 

 would be forced to the hospital or even death. Some attempts 

 have been made to catch this man before the final brealv in com- 

 pensation, and by careful treatment to give him a chance to 

 return to society and to live a fairly normal life. 



The Bellevue Hospital is the pioneer in organized work along 

 this line. After a few weeivs' treatment in the wards of the hos- 

 pital, adult patients, as many as possible, are taken to a con- 

 valescent home for further rest and care. One of the sad things 

 in connection with these patients is the fact that the occupation 

 nearly always has to be changed. Mne times out of ten the 

 work that the patient has been doing has contributed largely, if 

 not wholly, to his breakdown. He, therefore, cannot return to it. 

 This necessitates an eifort, on the part of the individual and 

 helpers, to find some suitable occupation. In connection with 

 Sharon, the convalescent home to which Bellevue sends her 

 patients, a trade school has been established. A great number of 

 experiments were performed before any type of work was found 

 that was suitable for all, and yet liad a commercial value. At last 

 it was decided that the making of cement flower pots came most 

 nearly to filling all the requirements. The patient taken here is 

 taught this work during his period of convalescence. After he is 

 dismissed an attempt is made to use him in the shop or find him 

 similar employment. 



In connection with the out-patient department at Bellevue, 

 evening classes have been started for cardiac men and w^omen. 

 The work is given in the evening so the patients who are employed 

 during the day will not have to lose time and money by attending. 

 Patients come here and willingly wait until eleven o'clock for 

 their turn to see the doctor. They are advised as to their work 

 and recreation. In addition to this they are encouraged. Often- 

 times only a suggestion is needed to give the patient an idea of 

 the kind of work he can do and still live in physical comfori. 



CASE H.E. Most of the patients brought to this Department 

 change their own work or manage in some w^ay to do less of the 

 same kind of work. A woman came to the Department three 

 years ago with a very bad heart condition. She was doing the 

 house work, washing, and all for her family, which consisted 

 of her husband, two children of her own, and one adopted. She 

 was told not to do the family w^ashing any longer and thai she 



