Thompson: The Cardiac Case 



29 



to keep the child in school. When the time comes for the child to 

 earn a living, there will be some hoj)e that easy work can be 

 obtained. By ''easy work" it must be understood that work 

 suitable for a cardiac is meant. This excludes heavy lifting, 

 walking long distances, being on the feet long at a time, and 

 any work with much nervous strain. 



CASE MR. K. This man had been doing heavy work in a 

 lumber mill. The work kept him in a close, dusty room. A 

 change of employment was imperative, even after he had taken 

 a long course of treatment. His training was very limited, so 

 but few positions were open. He tried for some time to get some- 

 one to try him. When the future looked about as blaclv as pos- 

 sible, a place was offered him which really looked good. He was 

 to work at night for an ice cream factory. All that was required 

 was that he be there to care for the horses when they were 

 brought in by the drivers from the various routes. The doctor 

 was consulted. He reported that the dust from the horses would 

 be about as hard on the patient as the lifting. At last his former 

 employer offered him a place as foreman in the lumber yard. 

 This was as good as could be hoped for, so it was accepted. 



CASE MRS. 0. In the case of the housewife it is often suffi- 

 cient to get the washing or sweeping done for her. As one doctor 

 said, "Sweeping does not look hard, but few women with heart 

 trouble can stand much of it." One patient has been much better 

 ever since a friendly woman provided for the washing to be done 

 away from the home. 



CASE S.M. The school child must also be cared for as she 

 returns to normal life after an attack of heart trouble. She 

 may have recovered apparently, but a slight neglect might cause a 

 relapse. One girl was found to be eating cold, unwholesome 

 lunches at noon. She went home at noon and prepared lunch 

 for herself and small brother. She did not have time to cook 

 anything, so usually bought pickles, cake, and prepared meats 

 of some kind at the corner grocery. Her diet had been watched 

 very carefully during the time she was in the hospital, and was 

 one of the most important items of treatment. Some might say 

 that the mother was responsible for her care, but she did well to 

 keep the children clothed and a home to live in. She was a 

 widow and had no income except what she made by working in a 

 shop. It, therefore, fell to the lot of the social service worker to 



