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"Survey return from Dr. MacLean"
Badcall, by Golspie.
1851.
RCP/COL/4/8/228
Dr. MacLean was a medical practitioner in Badcall.
Badcall was a village within the parish of Eddrachillis in the historic County of Sutherland. For further information on the whole parish, see the entry for Eddrachillis.
[[Addressee]]
Dr. MacLean
Badcall
by Golspie
[[Survey]]
QUERIES
1. How long have you practiced in the locality you at present occupy?
Three years
2. What are the ordinary and what the greatest distances which you have to travel in visiting patients?
My district extends to 75 miles by 35 – my house
is central. have had to visit both extremities of district on one
day
nearest township is 2 - next 3 and next 9 miles from residence
3. What means of conveyance do you employ in going long journeys?
Horse and boat – principally boating, most townships
being on sea coast.
4. What is the state of the roads in your neighbourhood?
very good – but no roads to the greater number of townships
which makes it necessary to boat it, when weather permits
5. Is the position of medical men in general in your quarter improved, or otherwise, of late years?
Cannot say – but rather think not, as my predecessor
had other situations besides that of medical officer
and the condition of the people has much deteriorated
from poverty – illness has increased upon them
with poverty
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?
I cannot answer this, as I have practised
here for three years and given out medicines &c.1 and have
not had payment of a single shilling. The people are
in my opinion quite unable to pay – although willing
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?
1st. Distance being so great, I am frequently sent for
only to arrive too late, to be of any service, particularly
in acute cases
2d. In winter the frequent exposure for whole days
in open boats and in all weathers – going to
townships on sea coast where there is no road and
the proportion of inhabitants being 2 to 1 on the assynt
side, whilst I reside in the parish of Eddrachillis
3d. I hire, when I require a horse, have no [ground]
for the support of one – can get nothing to buy nearer
than Caithness – to keep me. Have to combat a
hundred absurdities of the people, before I can get
them to adopt rational treatment. Whilst paid by
the Boards2 of Eddrachillis and Assynt to attend the paupers
of these parishes, being 240 in Number. I have out of my own
pocket had to physick and attend & may say a population of
3000 – who are unable to pay a medical man
over3
4th My salary from the Duke of Sutherland for attending
his establishment at Lochinver and acting as
Surgeon to the Scourie district is £40 per An4
Surgeon to Board of Eddrachillis 15 - -
Surgeon to Board of5 Assynt 25 - -
For attendance on Farmers
with a house 20 - -
£100 - -
From the above I have to keep up house
horse and pay boat hire &c besides
providing medicines &c
Explanatory notes:
1. “&c” is shorthand for etcetera.
2. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.
3. ‘over’ is written by respondent to indicate he has written on the addressee page.
4. “Annum” either deliberately abbreviated or cut off by the end of the page.
5. ‘Surgeon to Board of’ is represented in the survey by ditto marks.
Remote & Rural Remedies
