Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from James Mill"

Thurso.

1851.

RCP/COL/4/8/233

James Mill was a medical practitioner in Thurso.

Thurso is a market town which was in the historic County of Caithness. The main occupation for inhabitants was in fisheries and coasting trade, as well as some manufacturing including linen and straw-plaiting. In 1831, the population was 4679.

---

[[Addressee]]
Dr Mill
Thurso

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

For three years – and for twenty
one years in this County 20 miles distant from this place.

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

My principal practise is within a circle of ten miles – but I have to
travel upwards of 20 miles within the districts under my charge and occasionally
to go upwards of 30 miles in districts usually considered in the charge of others.

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

always a Gig¹.

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

The roads are everywhere excellent
in this County & a vehicle can be used except in very remote districts.

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

From the social comfort of the people having generally
improved within the last twenty years I consider the position
of Medical Men to have been greatly ameliorated in
this County.

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?

This being a thickly populated agricultural, mercantile, & fishing
community – with the exception of the extreme south & western part – I am
unable to say what extent of county in this locality would be sufficient
to occupy a single practitioner.

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?

The only special hardship
incident to my situation is the great distance I have to travel to the
Western, or Sutherland, portion of the parish of Reay, where there is a
large population distant from this side 17 – 20 & 20 miles & from a
medical practitioner on the west side of 23 miles & upward. The Eastern
or Caithness part of Reay is situation within a reasonable distance of
from 6 to 12 miles. In my capacity of parochial surgeon I have
occasionally to go 24 miles - but am very seldom asked by the other
inhabitants to visit them – however urgent their state may be on
account of their poverty. I consider a medical practitioner in this
destitute locality loudly called for – but no one could live here unless
supplemented by a salary – such as is done by the present excellent
& considerate Duke of Sutherland in several of the other localities in
his Graces extensive possessions. I do not think there is any
place in this County that would require to be remedied by any
enactment.

[[Additional text]]

James Mill
Surgeon
Of Edin 1827
Thurso 28 Augt 1851.

---

Explanatory notes:

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