Remote & Rural Remedies

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"Survey return from James R. Sutherland"

Northmavine, by Lerwick.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/196

James R. Sutherland was a church minister in Northmavine.

Northmaving (also known as Northmavine) was a parish in Shetland. It had many harbours for fishing boats. In 1831, the population was 2500. The main industry was fishing, with some agriculture and livestock breeding.

[[Addressee]]
The Revd
J. R. Sutherland
Northmaving
by Lerwick

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

Not one

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

[no text]

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?

None

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

We have no one to complain to - the people are too poor to pay a medical man - but they would be very willing to take his attendance and medicines gratis

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?

Such cases no doubt must occur - but we think the less of such things - as it is next to impossible to procure medical aid - the nearest medical man (at Lerwick) being about 40 miles distant

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

I believe that the late Mr Cheyne of Ollaberry (died in Decr /49) did much good in distributing medicines (gratis) and by more than a half century practice acquired some skill in the treatment of disease - we have now no such man

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 only been here two years and cannot say much on this head - I believe if a supply of medicines could be afforded to and distributed as necessity required by the minr or by any better qualified party - it would do much good I however abominate quackery in every shape

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

No Heritors reside - The principal Heritor lives in the next parish- but on the confines of this parish - viz Arthur Gifford Esq. of Busta - Lerwick

[[Additional Text]]

I am Gentleman with much respect - Yrs.
James R Sutherland- Minr of Nomaving

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 James R. Sutherland"

Northmavine, by Lerwick.

1850.

James R. Sutherland was a church minister in Northmavine.

Northmaving (also known as Northmavine) was a parish in Shetland. It had many harbours for fishing boats. In 1831, the population was 2500. The main industry was fishing, with some agriculture and livestock breeding.

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.