Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from M. Bremner"

Kirkwall.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/249

M. Bremner was a medical practitioner in Kirkwall.

Kirkwall was a parish (with St. Ola), burgh, seaport and town on the Orkney Islands. It had multiple connections to Lerwick and Leith. The harbour was very good and there was much trade and export. In 1831, the population was 3721. Most of the inhabitants worked in fishery or manufacture.

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[[Addressee]]
M. Bremner Esq.
Surgeon
Kirkwall

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

35 years

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

the ordinary distance a half mile and the
greatest 20 miles

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

either on horseback
or by boating

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

in general good

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

In a pecuniary point of view, I believe that
their incomes have been much decreased of late

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?

From the insular position of the Orkney
Islands. They are divided into three districts –
the South and North Isles and Mainland,
each of which are fairly supplied with Qualified
practitioners

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?

Having attended the poor gratis during
the above period of 35 years, there does
not appear to be any other method of
medical remuneration but that which
arises by a legal assessment for the support
of the Poor.

[[Additional text]]

M Bremner
Surgeon