Where a boy's aversion to study arises from physical weakness, we do not
urge him to persevere any more than we urge him against his inclination
to leap from a high rock; but, on the contrary, when a boy's bodily
strength fails him, and more especially in a case of superior
intelligence, his studies are suspended until the weakness is remedied.
Were the boy forced to persevere, he would probably suffer both in body
and mind. He is merely placed in a separate department of the college--a
kind of infirmary for strengthening the young, and promoting their
healthy development.
For giving the desired strength we most commonly employ "Tree-earth
Baths,"--that is to say, baths of fresh earth taken from beneath the
roots of certain trees, in which the boy is as it were buried, every
part of his body being covered, with the exception of his head. This
earth bath is placed in another bath containing hot water. The effect of
this operation in renewing the boy's strength and repairing the waste of
his body is marvellous.
When removed from the bath the boy is washed with tepid water, mixed
with a solution of bark, and on the following day a cold _douche_
is administered. The bath, in which the boy is kept for about an hour,
is administered at intervals of about ten days, and is so efficacious
that not more than twelve are required for the worst cases.
Previously to being immersed the boy is made to walk sharply for half an
hour, and, while he is in the bath, warm liquid food is administered.
The pores being opened facilitate the reception of the fresh exhalations
from the earth and the expulsion of the impure gases from the body. The
boy often sleeps whilst thus immersed, as it is considered highly
beneficial to inhale the fresh fragrance of the earth.
The electricities proper to the earth and trees being very sympathetic
to the human frame, they readily mingle with the electricity of the
patient and assist in repelling the unhealthy gases and impurities in
his body.
Earth electricity is of itself most beneficial, but its curative and
invigorating effects are vastly increased when impregnated with tree
electricity, which is strongest about the roots.
There are men whose sole occupation it is to collect the tree-earth, and
who become skilful in digging and removing the soil from underneath the
roots, without in the slightest degree injuring the tree.
The earth under many trees is good for the purpose above described, but
that about the roots of the oak, especially when of a ripe middle age,
is exceptionally efficacious.
The roots of another tree that you have, viz., the weeping willow,
offers a good earth for girls and also for boys of a susceptible nature,
for whom the oak-root earth might be too strong.
The elm, horse-chestnut, and lime-earths are all more powerful than that
of the oak, and therefore are rarely used, for their exceeding strength
would overpower the natural electricity and leave a lassitude in the
patient. The tree-earth baths are rarely used for adults, except in
cases when, earlier in my reign, the mental powers of several persons
had been overtaxed at the expense of their physical strength.