Remote & Rural Remedies

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"Survey return from Alex MacEwan"

Evelix, by Dornoch.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/230

Alexander MacEwan (also written as McEwan and M.Ewan) was a medical practitioner in Evelix.

Evelix (also known as Evelicks) was a village within the parish of Dornoch. It was also the name of a river, which runs through it. For further information on the whole parish, see the entry for Dornoch.

[[Addressee]]
Dr MacEwan,
Evelix
by Dornoch

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

Thirty Years

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

The ordinary distances are from two to ten
miles, & the greatest about thirty miles

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

A Gig¹

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

Both Parliamentary & District
roads are excellent. In some parts of the interior, there
are only Bridle roads.² -

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

Since the introduction of a Poor law into Scotland I
believe the [position] of Medical Men in this quarter is some-
what improved, inasmuch, as the Parochial Boards³ now
pay for attendance & Medicine given to paupers, whereas, pre-
viously Medical Men in a number of cases gave not only
attendance and advice, but also medicine gratis to the in-
digent sick - from which they are now comparatively exempt,
although not altogether.

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 should say from ten to fifteen miles

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?

I have no
remark to make regarding this question. -

[[Additional text]]

Alex. M.Ewan, Surgeon
Evelix by Dornoch
August 1851-

Explanatory notes:

1. A gig is a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse.
2. A bridle road is a path, trail or thoroughfare created for people riding horses.
3. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.

"Survey return from Alex MacEwan"

Evelix, by Dornoch.

1851.

Alexander MacEwan (also written as McEwan and M.Ewan) was a medical practitioner in Evelix.

Evelix (also known as Evelicks) was a village within the parish of Dornoch. It was also the name of a river, which runs through it. For further information on the whole parish, see the entry for Dornoch.

1. A gig is a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse. 2. A bridle road is a path, trail or thoroughfare created for people riding horses. 3. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.

1. A gig is a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse.
2. A bridle road is a path, trail or thoroughfare created for people riding horses.
3. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.