Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from Archibald Campbell"

Kilmore, Oban.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/214

Archibald Campbell was a medical practitioner in Kilmore.

Kilmore was a united parish with Kilbride in the historic County of Argyle. It contained the town of Oban as well as the island of Kerrera. The leading industry was sheep and dairy farming. In 1861, the population was 2962.

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[[Addressee]]
Dr Campbell
Kilmore
Oban

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1. How long have you practiced in the locality you at present occupy?

Fourteen years

2. What are the ordinary and what the greatest distances which you have to travel in visiting patients?

I seldom visit patients at a greater
distance off than sixteen miles.

3. What means of conveyance do you employ in going long journeys?

Riding or driving.

4. What is the state of the roads in your neighbourhood?

generally good.

5. Is the position of medical men in general in your quarter improved, or otherwise, of late years?

It is decidedly worse within the last few years.
In consequence of the failure of the Potato
Crop, low prices for Cattle, & agricultural
produce generally, the farming population
in this quarter are much less able than for-
merly to pay medical men.

6. Supposing the people of the Highlands and Islands were generally able to pay for medical
advice, according to rates usually observed in other parts of the kingdom, what extent of
country in your locality would you regard as sufficient to occupy a single practitioner
fully?

From six to eight miles.

7. Mention, if you please, any special hardships incident to your situation, such as you think
might be remedied by some general measure or enactment?

None, that I am aware of.

[[Additional text]]

Archd Campbell M.D.
Oban, Argyllshire
1st Septr 1851