human
You have been at your studies again? Of course! This magnificent summer's-day, when all the world hastens out into the open air, you sit here from morning to night, or rather until far into the night, at your writing desk. Tell me, for God's sake, how long do you think this can go on, and you bear up under it?
gpt
I must have taken cold,
human
No, it is not cold, interrupted the doctor,
gpt
I have always followed your directions,
human
Oh yes, literally! If, for example, I sent you to bed, you lay down obediently, but had lamp and books brought to the bedside, and studied until four o'clock in the morning instead of until two. You must possess a good constitution to enable you to do all this; until now it was only your nerves that were ruined. If you go on in this way a year longer, you will have the consumption; I give you my word for that!
gpt
So much the better!
human
There we have it! You really long for death! There is nothing healthy in your learning. Consumption of mind and body; that is the end of it all.
gpt
Give me up, doctor; I repay your care only with ingratitude! My health is entirely undermined, I myself am best conscious of this, and with all your good will and all your medicines you cannot help me.
human
With medicines--no, said the doctor gravely.
gpt
Only a radical cure can save you; but I fear it is quite useless to advise you.
human
And what would your advice be?
gpt
For a year--for a whole year long, you ought not to touch a pen, not even to look into a book, and above all, not to think of a syllable of science. Instead of this you must take constant physical exercise, and if you can obtain it in no other way, work with hoe and spade in the garden and keep at it until you grow hungry and thirsty, and can defy every change of weather. Don't look at me in such astonishment, as if I were pointing you out the direct way to the other world; such an entirely shattered nervous system as yours, only the most powerful remedies can avail. It is my firm conviction, that such treatment, energetically begun, and persistently carried through, will save you in spite of all these premonitions of death.
human
Then I certainly must despair of cure; you must yourself know that to carry on the work of a day laborer in my position is impossible.
gpt
I know it to my sorrow! And you are the last who yield to such requirements. Well then, study on in Heaven's name, and prepare yourself for the consumption. I have preached and warned enough.--Adieu!