Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from John McDonald"

Fearn, by Tain.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/78

John McDonald (also written as MacDonald) was a church minister to Fearn, Clyne parish.

Fearn was a parish in the historic County of Ross and Cromarty. In 1831, the population was 1695. The majority of the inhabitants worked in agriculture, with high-quality green crops being raised. Fishery was also done by some of the villagers.

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[[Addressee]]
The Revd
John MacDonald
Fearn
by Tain

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

There is not a resident Medical man in this Parish - those who practice in it reside in the town of Tain, at an average distance of six Miles.

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

2. See reply Query 1

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

3. See reply to Query 1

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

4. There has not been a resident Medical Man in the Parish since I became connected with it - that is, for the last seven years-

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

5. The people are not in the habit of complaining of this, in as much as they are reconciled to circumstances, and may not be aware of the inadequacy of the supply. There is great room however, for complaint as to this.

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?

6. I am not prepared to state particular cases at present, altho’ I am quite of opinion that such cases exist. In going among the people I frequently meet with cases requiring medical attendance, and it is a cause of a deep regret to me that such (from poverty) cannot be obtained.

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

7. I mentioned in my reply to Query 1 that the Tain Medical Men practise within the Parish when sent for. A few kind individuals give simple medicines occasionally to the poor. Others attempt bleeding¹.

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?

A Medical Man practising exclusively in two or three parishes would make up to a certain great extent the deficiency. Many would need to have his services gratuitously - others could pay but a very small fee, so that some source of Income, would be necessary for him.

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

D Munro Esq. of Allan resides generally in the Parish and is at present in Edinburgh. The principle proprietor is Mr McLeod of Cadboll who resides at present at Invergordon Castle in the Parish of Rosskeen-

[[Additional Text]]

Free Church Manse
Fearn by Tain 31 Decr 1850
John McDonald. Minr

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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.