Remote & Rural Remedies

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"Survey return from Heugh MacDonald"

Benbecula, South Uist.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/152

Heugh MacDonald was a church minister in Benbecula.

Benbecula was an island and a part of the parish of South Uist in the historic County of Inverness. It was particularly active in land cultivation. For information on the whole parish, see the entry for South Uist.

[[Addressee]]
The Rev.
H. MacDonald
Benbecula
South Uist

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

One medical man in the Parish -- but there is no medical man resident in the District comprehending the Mission of Benbecula which has a population of about 3000 or say three thousands

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

The address of the only Medical man in the Parish is
Roderick Mac Lean M.D
South Uist by Lochmaddy

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

Not since Jeane of Benbecula at Whitsunday 1848 - 5 years ago there were two medical men under salary in the Parish - one of them resident at Benbecula- But he has left

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

Not since I came to the island at Whits 1848 - The resident medical man at Benbecula 5 years ago left the Island before I came to live on it.

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

The Medical Gentleman employed in this Parish visits this District occasionally and at any time when sent for if not engaged in any other part of the Parish and if so he comes as soon as he can.

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 do not know of any such cases of late- but such must occasionally happen as the only medical gentleman in the Parish is 12 miles distant from the District of Benbecula.

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

When Epidemics prevail to a great extent throughout the Parish the aid of other parties are called for - particularly from both Extremities of the Parish-

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?

As to this query I refer you to Dr. MLean, South Uist

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

Lieut. Col. Gordon of Cluny, Aberdeenshire the sole Proprietor of the Parish does not reside in it, and he visited the place only once (in Autumn last) for the last four years

[[Additional Text]]

Heugh Macdonald
Missionary Minister, Benbecula

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 Heugh MacDonald"

Benbecula, South Uist.

1850.

Heugh MacDonald was a church minister in Benbecula.

Benbecula was an island and a part of the parish of South Uist in the historic County of Inverness. It was particularly active in land cultivation. For information on the whole parish, see the entry for South Uist.

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.