Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from Dr. MacCorkindale"

Craignish, Aryglleshire.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/216

Dr MacCorkindale (also written as Mr McCockindale) was a medical practitioner in Craignish.

Craignish was a parish on the western shore of the historic County of Argyle and used to go by two names, Kilmhorie and Craignish. The population in 1841 was 873. The majority of the inhabitants were employed in agriculture and as cotters.

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[[Addressee]]
Dr. MacCorkindale
Craignish
Aryglleshire

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1. How long have you practiced in the locality you at present occupy?

For 34 years at the
term of Whitsunday last

2. What are the ordinary and what the greatest distances which you have to travel in visiting patients?

The ordinary distance from 3 to 5 Miles,
and the greatest distance from 10 to 15 Miles.

3. What means of conveyance do you employ in going long journeys?

A Horse & Saddle.

4. What is the state of the roads in your neighbourhood?

Excellent Roads for the most
part.

5. Is the position of medical men in general in your quarter improved, or otherwise, of late years?

In my opinion
improved

6. Supposing the people of the Highlands and Islands were generally able to pay for medical
advice, according to rates usually observed in other parts of the kingdom, what extent of
country in your locality would you regard as sufficient to occupy a single practitioner
fully?

I am not very clear as to this Query, the population having now
very much decreased, but I would venture to mention that
perhaps the extent of 20 Miles in length & 10 in breadth might be
sufficient, if the people were able to pay, they are however for the most
part very poor.

7. Mention, if you please, any special hardships incident to your situation, such as you think
might be remedied by some general measure or enactment?

The greatest hardships
are when under the necessity of going to the most inaccessible
Farms in the locality which cannot be remedied till they improve
the Roads to them.