txt file program to database program

hi experts,

i need to convert the following program so that it reads from a database.
it currently reads from a txt file. i only got this code from someone else, but i have already edited it. its an expert system...it asks the user questions that are answerable by yes or no then it concludes a hypotheses.

here is the data structure for the rules that are in the txt file.
IF,IS COUGHING,THEN HAS FEVER
IF,IS FEVER,THEN....you get the picture.

Code:

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Sub LOAD_RULES()
        R7 = 0
    R8 = 0
    Open App.Path & "\Knowledgebase\Rules\ANIMAL.txt" For Input As #2
        Do While (Not (EOF(2)))
            If R8 >= R9 Then
                Display_Message "Out of room for Rules" & vbNewLine
                Stop
            End If
            '  READ NEXT RULE INTO RULE$
            '  FORMAT:  <name> IF <ant>...<ant> THEN  <con>...<con>
            R8 = R8 + 1
            Input #2, RULE$(R8)
            If RULE$(R8) = "IF" Then
                R7 = R7 + 1
                RULES(R7) = R8 - 1
            End If
        Loop
    Close #2
End Sub

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