Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from John D. Hemsby"

Rosehall, Bonar Bridge.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/81

John D. Hemsby was a church minister to Rosehall parish.

Rosehall was a district within the Kincardine parish. For further information on the parish, see Kincardine entry.

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[[Addressee]]
The Revd
John D. Hemsby
Rosehall
Bonar Bridge

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1.How many Medical Men practice with the Parish of es of¹ Creich and Kincardine?

There is no Medical man resident within the district under my charge which is 24 miles in length. There is one within the Parish of Creich, none within the Parish of Kincardine. My charge comprises part of both these Parishes.

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

Mr. William Gordon Surgeon Bonar Bridge. This residence is 12 miles distant from the church of Rosehall.

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

There was no surgeon resident within the Parish of Creich until within the last Eighteen months. The Medical officer of the Parochial Board² of Creich resides at a distance of 22 miles from my church in the Parish of Dornoch.

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?

There were very great complaints, previous to Mr Gordon coming to Bonar.

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?

I have known of many instances, occasioned by the distance of any medical man, and the inability of the people to pay for his attendance.

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

There are several persons within the district who can bleed³. I give medicines occasionally gratis

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?

It would be highly advisable, if the Surgeon at Bonar Bridge could attend here at stated times for consultation, and if he was enabled to supply Medicines at a low rate.

9. What Heritors⁴ are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

George Dempster Esqr. Skibo, by Dornoch
Daniel Gilchrist Esqr. Ospisdale by Dornoch
James Matheson Esqr. of Achany & Rosehall M.P.⁵ (generally resident at Lewis Castle, Stornaway)

[[Additional Text]]

The Manse Rosehall
Nov. 26th 1850
John D. Hemsby Minr

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Explanatory notes:

1. The word “of” is excised and the word “Parish” made plural.
2. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Member of Parliament.