Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from P. Wood"

Sanday.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/253

P. Wood was a medical practitioner in Sanday.

Sanday was an area on the northern islands of Orkney. It was a well-suited place for agriculture and had two good harbours. It was divided into the parishes of Lady, Cross and Burness. The whole population was 2145 in 1861.

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[[Addressee]]
Dr Wood
Sanday
Kirkwall

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

Upwards of eleven years -

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

ordinary distance 5 miles, greatest distance 15 miles-

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

Walking generally, but in cases of midwifery, sometimes a horse is sent,
which is often not safe to ride, and in crossing to neighbouring islands,
a small boat is sent, which is extremely dangerous in winter -

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

Extremely bad, almost impassable in winter -

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

No improvement in regard to the position of medical
men, but much worse.

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?

This Island, Sanday and North Ronaldshay.

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?

1. The Parochial Boards¹ of this Island have not accepted
of the Government Grant for medical attendance on the Poor.
2. The three fourths of the Inhabitants of this Island are in so
poor circumstances, that they are neither able to pay for
medical attendance or medicines.
3. When called to the neighbouring Islands, I am exposed to such
storms, as to endanger my life, and after visiting the patients,
frequently return home without receiving any remunerations.
4. Owing to the small fees I receive, and hundreds of times
no fees at all, I can neither keep a cow, horse, or even
a necessary supply of medicines.

[[Additional text]]

P. Wood
Sunday 8th September 1851 -

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Explanatory notes:

1. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.