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"Survey return from James Bains"
Delting, Shetland.
1850.
RCP/COL/4/8/200
James Bains was a church minister in Delting.
Delting was a parish on the Shetland Islands and contained the islands of Muckle Roe and Little Roe. In 1841, the population was 2087. The main industry was fishing of ling, cod, and herring. Some parts of the land was also cultivated.
[[Addressee]]
The Revd
James Bains
Delting
Lerwick
[[Survey]]
QUERIES
1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Delting?
None
2. The Names and Addresses of these.
None
3. Has the number increased or diminished of late years?
Diminished
4. Have any left the Parish since you became connected with it? If so, for what reasons?
One has left - First - he went to reside in Edinr in order to obtain farther professional Knowledge & Experience. He again settled in the parish- but soon after was called to attend a gentleman of the country who lost his health. He is now with him in London; and there is no prospect of his returning to pra practise here.
5. Is there any complaint among the people of inadequacy in the supply of Medical aid?
very grievous complaints indeed
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?
There have been several such cases
7. To what extent is the deficiency of qualified Practitioners made up by the efforts of other parties?
The Revd Mr Bryden of Sandsting is much resorted to for medical advice. But the distance to Sandsting is great - and the journey difficult. Mr B. does not visit patients in Delting, but gives advice freely when called on. Dr. Drever when at Hillswick in the next parish of North Mavine gave advice & medicines gratuitously to a large extent- but he has left the country. In extreme cases Dr Spence is called from Unst or Dr John Gowie from Lerwick
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 am quite at a loss to suggest any which promises success. - On the part of the Parochial Boards1 of Northmavine & Delting, I am aware that thirty - eight pounds yearly have been offered to induce a competent medical man to settle in the District, but without success - and without any prospect of success.
9. What Heritors2 are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?
Mr Gifford of Busta and Mr Hoseason of Mossbank.
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
