Remote & Rural Remedies

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"Survey return from Charles Downie"

Contin, by Strathpeffer.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/69

Charles Downie was a church minister to Contin parish.

Contin was a parish in the historic County of Ross and Cromarty. There were many lakes, which were suited for fishery (including salmon and trout). The main industries were agriculture and cattle and sheep breeding, with some inhabitants being employed in retail trade. In 1831, the population was 2023.

[[Addressee]]
The Revd
Charles Downie
Contin
by Strathpeffer

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Contin ?

None

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

[No text]

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

There has never been one resident, in so far as I know

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

No

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

Not that I have heard. Indeed some of the people (especially those in mountainous parts) have an ignorant prejudice against 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?

In a Parish from 30 to 40 miles long, without a resident medical man, such cases have no doubt occurred, and may be expected to occur again.

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

By the benevolence of certain individuals, and the services of a most skilful Physician appointed by the Parochial Board

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?

No, for the Parish is chiefly pastoral, with a scattered population. Those in the lower part of it are within 8 miles of the Town of Dingwall where several medical gentlemen practice.

9. What Heritors¹ are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

Sir James MacKenzie of Scatwell
Bart. – Capt.n Douglas of Meikle Scatwell – and Mr. Balfour of Whittingham

[[Additional Text]]

C. Downie Minister

Explanatory notes:

1. 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.

"Survey return from Charles Downie"

Contin, by Strathpeffer.

1850.

Charles Downie was a church minister to Contin parish.

1. 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.