Summary of The Life and Works of John Arbuthnot, M.D.: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians

Unearth the captivating life of John Arbuthnot, M.D., a physician and satirist whose sharp wit changed medicine and literature forever.

Welcome to the delightfully riveting world of The Life and Works of John Arbuthnot, M.D., a book that dives into the life of a fellow who was somehow able to pull off being a physician, satirist, and member of the Royal College of Physicians all at once! Talk about multitasking, right? Written by George Atherton Aitken with a side of John Arbuthnot himself, this book is essentially a time machine taking us back to the 18th century, where wigs were big and people often thought they were more intelligent than they were. Spoiler alert: they weren't!

Firstly, who the heck is John Arbuthnot, you ask? Well, he's not just some random doctor from a time when medicine was basically a game of guessing what was wrong with you. Nope! Arbuthnot was a physician with a sharp wit, known for his insightful commentary and satirical works. If he were alive today, he'd probably be a top-tier Twitter influencer, calling out fools with a mere 280 characters.

The narrative hops from Arbuthnot's early life, where he was born in Scotland (because, of course, all smart people come from there), to his educational pursuits that would make anyone who went to online college feel inadequate. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where presumably he learned how to cure headaches, but mostly how to write witty remarks that would go on to be beloved-or at least chuckled at-by the public.

Once he got his MD, Arbuthnot dived into the world of medicine and satire with zest! He penned works that critiqued the medical practices of his day. Remember, this was an age when bloodletting was still considered a solid medical strategy-oh how the times have changed! The book brilliantly highlights his contributions to both medicine and literature, showcasing how he seamlessly blended the two. Imagine a doctor who also published a bestselling book! Groundbreaking.

A specific gem from Arbuthnot's repertoire is his satirical work regarding the government and society, pointing out the absurdities of the time, kind of like what political comedians do now but with quills and ink. One can only wonder what he would have thought about today's politicians. My guess? He'd probably die laughing or crying or both at the same time while rolling in his grave.

As we stroll through this comprehensive biography, Aitken gives us glimpses of Arbuthnot's relationships, his standing in society, and his rich intellectual life. We learn about his interactions with fellow luminaries of the time, which-let's be honest-probably involved a lot of competitive boasting about who could write the best satire. Talk about a cutthroat literary scene!

While the details of this rich life are poured over with the enthusiasm of a caffeinated historian, what's truly fascinating is how Aitken elevates Arbuthnot's works, showing readers how they impacted the medical community and beyond. So, if you want to impress your friends with random historical doctor facts at the next dinner party, this is your go-to source!

In conclusion, if you're seeking a read that spans the fascinating life of a doctor whose true skill lay in roasting his contemporaries (with surgery as a second career), The Life and Works of John Arbuthnot, M.D. is the way to go! Not only do you get a healthy dose of sarcasm, but you also get to learn how a physician can wield a pen with as much skill as they wield a scalpel. Spoiler alert: In this case, we'd rather have the pen!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.