Remote & Rural Remedies

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"Survey return from William McKenzie"

Olrig, Thurso.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/113

William McKenzie (also written as MacKenzie) was a church minister in Olrig.

Olrig (also known as Olrick) was a parish in the historic County of Caithness and contained the village of Castletown. The main industry was agriculture and the parish was good for sheep walks and cattle was also bred. In 1831, the population was 1146. The parish was well-connected with roads to Thurso and Wick.

[[Addressee]]
The Revd
Willm MacKenzie
Olrig
Thurso

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

There is no Medical Man resident in the Parish of Olrig. Medical aid has to be obtained from the neighbouring Town of Thurso, or the Parish of Bower, in either case- 4 or 5 Miles distant.

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

James Mill. Surgeon
Wm. Bruce M.D. } Thurso
Alexr. Robertson. Surgeon. Bower by Wick

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

Much the same

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

Wm. Bruce. M.D. resided for some time in the village of Castletown in this Parish- but left it Two years ago. for a wider field opening in Thurso. upon the lamented death of Drs McLean & Laing.

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

I have not heard much complaint of this kind, it is however often felt an hardship having to send- 5 miles for Medicine to Thurso,- upon a Medical prescription.

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 am not aware of any such case

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

I generally have beside me some of the more simple medicines, which are carefully administered, till proper medical aid is obtained.

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?

I have often wished- that there had been a Druggists Shop in the village of Castletown, where medical prescriptions could be made up without loss of [1 word illegible] but no one could make a livelihood here by selling medicine alone.

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

George Traill Esqr. of Peall M.P. & James Smith Esqr of Olrig, both very generous in giving wine & other aid when required

[[Additional Text]]

Olrig Free Ch. Manse
by Thurso-
17 Dec 1850
Wm McKenzie Minr

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 William McKenzie"

Olrig, Thurso.

1850.

William McKenzie (also written as MacKenzie) was a church minister in Olrig.

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.