Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from Hector MacColl"

Tobermory, Mull.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/221

Hector MacColl was a medical practitioner in Tobermory.

Tobermory is a seaport village on the Isle of Mull and was part of the historic County of Argyle. Its main trade was domestic and fishery. In 1837, the population was 1520.

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[[Addressee]]
Hector MacColl Esq.
Surgeon
Tobermory
Mull

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

upwards of Fourteen
years in Tobermory & six previous years previous to settling
here I practised in the same Parish at Torloisk –

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

From a
From a mile to Twenty miles

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

Horse & saddle and
a small boat crossing a ferry &c –

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

much improved of late

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

In reference
to their emoluments they are on the decline since
the potato failure in 1846. the people who were
previously in easy circumstance are now reduced
to penury & want, unable to pay Rents, or debts, &c

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?

It depends on the Class of people settled
in the locality – the extent of their holding of lands, but
the most of this Country is converted into sheep
walks, therefore I am not prepared to answer this query to your satisfaction.

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 hardship
I have to encounter in this locality, is that I am often
called away many miles to attend a small
crofter or Cottar¹ who cannot pay me for my
trouble. I have to hire a horse, give medicine
to such party during their illness & never
expect to be refunded, & &c² thus hardship
I had to contend with since I commenced to
Practice which is now Twenty years.

[[Additional text]]

Hector MacColl Surgeon

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Explanatory notes:

1. A farm labourer or tenant occupying a cottage in return for labour.
2. “&c” is shorthand for etcetera.