Symptoms.—Slight pain in the heart region, fever moderate. These subside or effusion may set in and this usually occurs with acute rheumatism, tuberculosis and septicemia. Sometimes these symptoms are absent.
Treatment of Pericarditis.—The patient must rest quietly in bed and a doctor should be in attendance. An ice bag placed over the heart frequently gives relief and quiets the distress and pain. There is apt to be liquid in the sac (pericardium) and to lessen the tendency to this there should not be much drink or liquid food taken. There should be what is called a dry diet. (See Nursing Department for this.)
ENDOCARDITIS.—Inflammation of the lining of the heart chiefly confined to the valves; it may be acute or chronic.
Simple Kind, Cause.—Occurs at all ages, but most often in children and young adults. It most frequently comes with acute rheumatism, chorea, tonsilitis, scarlet fever, and pneumonia. The valves in the left heart are most often affected, the mitral simply swollen or bearing small growths.
Symptoms.—If it is caused by acute rheumatism, there may be higher temperature, without increase of joint symptoms. Heart beats faster and is irregular. It may run into chronic valvular disease.
Treatment of Endocarditis.—Preventive.—Much can be done to prevent this disease by closely watching the patient having the disease that causes it. The heart should be closely watched. Acute inflammatory rheumatism is a frequent cause and the heart must be watched continually in this disease. When the patient has this disease he must be quiet and in bed. This is essential. A doctor must be called, for the disease is serious and dangerous.
Diet.—Should be liquid. Milk or preparations made with it is the usual diet. Care must be taken that the stomach and bowels be not disordered. Gas collecting in the stomach causes much distress to one who has endocarditis or valvular disease.
Caution.—Avoid early exertion after getting well.
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CHRONIC ENDOCARDITIS.—Usually occurs in persons under middle age. Generally follows acute endocarditis. It may be caused by syphilis, alcoholism, gout, and prolonged over-exertion. The edges of the valve become thickened and then the thickened parts separate and cannot meet exactly and therefore fail to close the opening they are set to guard.