Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from J. Wishart"

Uplands, by Dingwall.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/222

J. Wishart was a medical practitioner in Uplands.

Dingwall was a parish in the historic County of Ross and Cromarty. In 1861, the population was 2084. There was some agriculture in the parish as well as tree plantations. The parish was in part reliant on the export of corn, timber and bark. It was a very well connected parish and has a good infrastructure. We have worked with the assumption that Uplands refers to a hilly area within the parish and not a specific village or place.

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[[Addressee]]
Dr Wishart
Uplands
by Dingwall

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

since October 1795

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

from 1 mile to 100, in ordinary 20 to 30

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

for the 1st 34 yrs no road at
all & on Horse back, now in a Gig¹ –

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

now, excellent roads in every
direction throughout the whole Highlands

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

the lower
orders in general are so heavily rented that nothing
is left to pay a medical man, therefore for my own part
I wrought more for humanitys sake often than for
payment, & I do not think medical men are better off now
than they were 30 year’s ago

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 30 to 40 miles round –
There are now medical men in all quarters, in my early
days I had the country to myself, from my acquaintances in
the country, there are some districts that require additional aid very much

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?

if an allowance
was made from any quarter to medical men
Practising in a poor district of Country to assist him
to live, I have known many who have tried various
places, in my locality to Practice but were obliged
to retire in a few years not for want business
but want of payment

[[Additional text]]

J.Wishart M: D: –
Dingwall 25 Septr 1851

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Explanatory notes:

1. A gig is a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse.