Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from Don. MacRae"

Kilmory, By Ardrossan.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/20

Don. MacRae was a church minister to Kilmory parish.

Kilmory (also known as Kilmorie) was an entirely rural parish on the Isle of Arran in the historic County of Bute. There had been improvements in the keeping of black-cattle by the mid-1800s and fishing was a large industry. In 1831 the population was 3771.

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[[Addressee]]
The Revd
Don. MacRae
Kilmory
By Ardrossan

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Kilmorie Island of Arran -?

None. – There are two in the neighbouring Parish of Kilbride. – One distant 12 miles, and the other 17 miles from the centre of this Parish. -

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

Charles Cook, Surgeon, Lamlash by Ardrossan –
Andrew Stoddart Surgeon, Brodick, Ardrossan -

3. Has the number increased or diminished of late years?

No

4. Have any left the Parish since you became connected with it? If so, for what reasons?

None resident in this Parish for many years back.

6¹ 5. Is there any complaint among the people of inadequacy in the supply of Medical aid?

In² cases of injuries by accident, such as fractures of bones, the people are obliged to have recourse to their more intelligent neighbours for assistance owing to the distance from medical aid. – I have been applied to frequently in such emergencies -

5³ 6. Do you know of any cases of protracted suffering, or of injury by Accident, such as might have been alleviated had proper advice been at hand?

All⁴ complain of the want of a medical man in the Parish.

7. To what extent is the deficiency of qualified Practitioners made up by the efforts of other parties?

By no other means than what has already been stated

8. Does your experience enable you to suggest any measure – of general applicability – such as would be likely to relieve to some extent the evils (if they exist) of deficiency in the supply of Medical aid?

Every possible effort should be made to have a properly qualified medical man within the bounds of the parish.

9. What Heritors⁵ are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

None

[[Additional Text]]

Novr 25th 1850 - Don MRae, Minr Free Church.

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Explanatory notes:

1. Respondent crossed out the number 5 and wrote 6 to the left of it.
2. Answer to query 6 in answer box for 5.
3. Respondent crossed out the number 6 and wrote 5 to the left of it.
4. Answer to query 5 in answer box for 6.
5. A heritor was a landowner, under Scots Law, whose holdings were sizeable enough for them to be liable for the payment of public burdens such as Poor Law rates, road and bridge assessments and the church minister’s stipend.