Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from Jas. R. Campbell"

Kilcalmonell, Tarbert.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/21

Jas. R. Campbell was a church minister to Kilcalmonell parish.

Kilcalmonell was part of a united parish with Kilberry in the historic County of Argyle and contained the village Clachan as well as the seaport of Tarbert. In 1845, the population had not increased in almost 25 years, as a result of a significant number of individuals having emigrated to America. There was not much cultivation of farms in the parish and the main produce was potatoes. In 1881 the population was 2304.

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[[Addressee]]
The Revd
James.R. Campbell
Kilcalmonell
Tarbert

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Kilcalmonell & Kilberry?

Two.

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

Mr John McKellar – Surgeon – residing in the Parish. – (Clachan)
&
Mr Hugh Campbell – surgeon – residing in the Parish of South Knapdale – by – Tarbert.

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

No change for some years past.

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

None.

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

I am not aware of any – except distance from medical aid.

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?

No.

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

The extent is limited. – Bleeding¹ & the administration of simple medicines.

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?

There ought to be a medical man stationed in every parish - & in extensive Parishes, or conjoined parishes – such as Kilcalmonell & Kilberry – there ought to be two or more – with a fixed salary annexed to the office.

9. What Heritors² are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

John Campbell Esqr of Kilberry – D. Campbell Esqr of Drimnamucklach –Mrs Campbell of Dunmore –Alexr Morrison Esqr of Balnakill –Allan Pollock Esqr of Ronnachan – by Tarbert.

[[Additional Text]]

J Campbell Minr
19 Novr 1850.

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Explanatory notes:

1. Bleeding, or bloodletting, is the withdrawal of blood from a patient to prevent or cure illness and disease. This was a common medical practice in the 1800s, dating back to antiquity, and was often carried out by unlicensed healers as well as qualified physicians.
2. 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.