Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from William Cameron"

Lochbroom, Ullapool.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/126

William Cameron was a church minister in Lochbroom.

Lochbroom was a parish in the historic County of Ross and Cromarty and contained the villages of Lochbroom and Ullapool. In 1831, the population was 4615. The main industry was agriculture, with some cattle breeding and fishery.

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[[Addressee]]
The Revd
Willm Cameron
Lochbroom
Ullapool

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

one

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

Mr James John McKenzie

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

The number has diminished

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

Since I became connected with this parish Mr John Mcintosh left it some five years ago. He had while here all the Medical practise in this parish I believe- and left it in the hopes of improving his circumstances by removing to England- In which I understand he has succeeded.

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

There is I may say to the extent of this considering that this [1 word illegible]¹ one of the most extensive parishes in the highlands is without a medical official!!

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 know of many such cases which might be attended and relieved by proper medical attendance, if such assistance were applied for a [manuscript damaged]² time and if ordinary confidence could be placed in the skill and steadiness of the practitioner.

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

The population of this parish generally are more dependent on the attentions and services of unprofessional parties and at their mercy then otherwise.

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?

An active Medical man of steady habits and having the language of the district (Gaelic) would [make] effectually the evils complained against- and could in my opinion obtain a comfortable livelihood if secured by the more respectable class in the parish by a salary of £50 or £60 or by any other benevolent parties.

9. What Heritors³ are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

The Heritors of the parish are Lady Stafford- Mr Davidson of Tulloch- Sir Alexr McKenzie of Coul Mr McKenzie Ardross & Dundonnell and Mr Banks of Letterewe- Mr McKenzie of Ardross is the only resident Heritor- some of the others occasionally so.
[[Letter]]
Manse of Lochbroom
by [1 word illegible] Nov 20th 1850
Sir,
I beg to return the list of Queries sent me by the Committee of the Royal College of Physicians Edin, with such answers as the circumstances of this parish in my estimation call for. The Committee with which you are connected will confer on us no small boon if they can furnish us with the services of a suitable medical practitioner, as I know of no parish which stands so much in need of such as we do.
The extent of this parish is indeed very great, and intersected by arms of the sea; but notwithstanding, a strong active and steady young man would I have no doubt in the course of a short⁴ time by recommending himself to the people make a very comfortable livelihood among us.
While our people are generally poor I am very sure the great majority of them could and would⁵ cheerfully give according to their means less or more for services so rendered to them.
At present our more respected class of people are obliged when circumstances require it, to send for a Medical Man to Dingwall or convey their friends thither for medical advice once attended, a distance of upwards of forty miles.
Our only resident Heritor was a few weeks ago very ill of Rheumatic Fever and he had to send for Dr Ross Dingwall to attend him, and our parish schoolmaster has been a way from his charge for the last fortnight or three weeks with his wife at Dingwall who is now under the medical treatment of the said gentleman.
Trusting if you can do anything for us, that I have stated enough, to induce you to take our case into your immediate consideration.- I am
Sir
most Respectfully yours
Wm. Cameron
To Dr Coldstream
Royal College of Physicians Edin.

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Explanatory notes:

1. Word has been crossed out and “one” written above.
2. Manuscript damaged and word(s) obscured.
3. 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.
4. Words “a short” obscured by a fold in the manuscript.
5. Word “would” is obscured by a fold in the manuscript.