-
"Survey return from Matthew Fisher"
Deerness, by Kirkwall.
1850.
RCP/COL/4/8/162
Matthew Fisher was a church minister in Deerness.
Deerness was a quoad sacra parish (to St Andrews) in Orkney and contained a peninsula in Pomona and the islands of Copenshay, Cornholm, and Horse. Many inhabitants were employed in herring fishery and in the manufacture of kelp. In 1891, the population was 844.
[[Addressee]]
To the Revd
The Minister of the Parish
of Deerness,
by Kirkwall
[[Survey]]
QUERIES
1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Deerness?
None
2. The Names and Addresses of these.
None
3. Has the number increased or diminished of late years?
[no text]
4. Have any left the Parish since you became connected with it? If so, for what reasons?
No Medical Man has to my knowledge resided in the parish
5. Is there any complaint among the people of inadequacy in the supply of Medical aid?
There are many complaints
The nearest medical gentleman is at a distance of 12 miles. The roads are in a deplorable state.
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 several cases during my short residence in the parish which might have been alleviated had proper advice been at hand.
7. To what extent is the deficiency of qualified Practitioners made up by the efforts of other parties?
In midwifery cases there is a person who acts as midwife. but who never attended any institution for instruction. In cases of dislocations & broken bones an old farmer lends his feeble aid.
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 consider that a medical practitioner.Situateresident on the boundaries of St Andrews, Holm & Deerness. Supported partly by the 3 parochial Boards1 & partly by Subscriptions. would effectually remedy the evil so long complained of.
9. What Heritors2 are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?
The only Heritors who reside either generally or occasionally are in a condition of comfort. but only hold small lairdships. these amount to 10 or 11.
[[Additional Text]]
Matthew Fisher. Anl. Minister of Deerness
Explanatory notes:
1. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.
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.
Remote & Rural Remedies
