bwaugh
Anyone who has read some of the correspondence by John Calvin concerning his physical ailments as well as those of other sixteenth-century individuals would be interested in The Medical History of the Reformers, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox, by John Wilkinson (1918-2015), foreword by David F. Wright, The Handsel Press, 2001. This title provides historical-medical analyses of the physical symptoms of the three reformers along with a diagnosis of the cause of death for each one. Dr. Wilkinson was a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh as well as a minister of the Church of Scotland, Kenya and Edinburgh. There is a limited amount of specifically medical terminology, but sickness cannot be discussed without some diagnostic, biological, and pharmaceutical language as well as some painful and fearful symptoms. The book is thoroughly documented and an enjoyable read, well, as enjoyable as reading about disease and death could be for those not in the medical professions. Physician Wilkinson has also written textbooks on Christian Ethics in Healthcare and The Bible and Medicine, which might be good sources for those concerned about these issues often found on the front pages of current newspapers. Read the interesting Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh memorial for Dr. Wilkinson HERE. [Posted 9/30/2026]
