10,550. It is not the custom here that the nurse should live in the patient’s house? In Lewis the habit does not exist to any great extent of the nurse living in the house?
—No, not to any great extent.
10,551. Not even in maternity cases ?
—No, she is only a night in the house on occasions.
10,552. (Chairman.) We had evidence on the Mainland that the nurse not only lived in the house, but milked the cows, and that sort of thing, in Sutherland ?
—I am quite aware of that. That does not exist in Lewis as a regular practice.
10,553. (Lady Tullibardine.) Do you find that the nurse if not sleeping in the house can give sufficient attention to satisfy the family ?
—The people are satisfied because they don’t expect more., but from my point of view, it is not enough.
10,554. You don’t think she gives sufficient medical skill ?
—Of course in a confinement a woman likes to have a nurse if she can afford it for a week or more. Here, under the present conditions, these nurses are with the patient until the crisis is over, and they simply go and visit once or twice a day after that. In exceptional cases, where there is no help in the house, I understand some of them give help ; then they are bound to do it. The system, generally speaking, is that they are with the patient until the crisis is over, and then they simply visit twice a day after.
10,555. Do you think that that means that the patient gets sufficient nursing attendance ?
—No, but is better than nothing. If you wanted sutficient nursing attendance on this island— I mean for the nurse to live in the house you must remember there are 30,000 people here, and it is the only part of the Highlands where the population has been increasing during the last few years—if you wanted a sufficient nursing service to meet the suggestions made by your Ladyship, you would require to have three times as many nurses as you have at present.
10,556. The reason the nurse does not stay in the house is not because you think it undesirable, but because she has other cases going on at the same time ?
—Yes, that is so.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Village memorial: Kershader
FIRST WORLD WAR
Corporal DUNCAN ANDERSON
Last address in Lewis: 5 Kershader
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 April 1917
Age of death: 22
Sergeant MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Kershader
Canadians
Date of death:
Age of death: 27
Seaman JOHN MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Kershader
Son of Donald and Margaret Macdonald of 7 Kershader
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Ocean's Gift
Date of death: 2 July 1917
Age of death: 18
Sergeant MALCOLM MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Brother of John Macaulay, of 8, Kershader Lochs, Stornoway. Son of John and Catherine Macaulay.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 12 March 1915
Age of death: 27
Private JOHN DUNCAN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Son of Duncan and Mary Mackay; family later moved to 3 Caverstay.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 1 July 1916
Age of death: 19
Corporal DUNCAN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 11 Kershader
Son of Finlay and Annie Mackay, of 11, Kershader, Locks, Stornoway.
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 May 1916
Age of death: 19
SECOND WORLD WAR
Captain JOHN ANDERSON
Last address in Lewis: 5 Kershader
Son of John and Mary Anderson; husband of Archina Anderson, of Glasgow.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 12 May 1940
Age at death: 48
Seaman JOHN DUNCAN MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Son of John Macaulay and of Annabella Macaulay (nee MacLeod), of Stornaway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 28 March 1943
Age at death: 18
Able Seaman DONALD MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2/4 Kershader
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 1 December 1942
Age at death: 35
IAIN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2/4 Kershader
Royal Navy
Date of death: 23 November 1942
Age at death: 32
Private KENNETH JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2/4 Kershader
Son of Donald and Mary Macdonald, of Kershader, Isle of Lewis.
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 28 June 1944
Age at death: 24
Corporal DUNCAN ANDERSON
Last address in Lewis: 5 Kershader
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 April 1917
Age of death: 22
Sergeant MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Kershader
Canadians
Date of death:
Age of death: 27
Seaman JOHN MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Kershader
Son of Donald and Margaret Macdonald of 7 Kershader
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Ocean's Gift
Date of death: 2 July 1917
Age of death: 18
Sergeant MALCOLM MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Brother of John Macaulay, of 8, Kershader Lochs, Stornoway. Son of John and Catherine Macaulay.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 12 March 1915
Age of death: 27
Private JOHN DUNCAN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Son of Duncan and Mary Mackay; family later moved to 3 Caverstay.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 1 July 1916
Age of death: 19
Corporal DUNCAN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 11 Kershader
Son of Finlay and Annie Mackay, of 11, Kershader, Locks, Stornoway.
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 May 1916
Age of death: 19
SECOND WORLD WAR
Captain JOHN ANDERSON
Last address in Lewis: 5 Kershader
Son of John and Mary Anderson; husband of Archina Anderson, of Glasgow.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 12 May 1940
Age at death: 48
Seaman JOHN DUNCAN MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Son of John Macaulay and of Annabella Macaulay (nee MacLeod), of Stornaway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 28 March 1943
Age at death: 18
Able Seaman DONALD MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2/4 Kershader
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 1 December 1942
Age at death: 35
IAIN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2/4 Kershader
Royal Navy
Date of death: 23 November 1942
Age at death: 32
Private KENNETH JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2/4 Kershader
Son of Donald and Mary Macdonald, of Kershader, Isle of Lewis.
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 28 June 1944
Age at death: 24
The Dewar Commission at Stornoway - page 222
The medical view of conditions in blackhouses in 1912. It would be another 40 to 60 years before all people in Lewis were housed in modern housing; and their livestock somewhere else.
10,578. Is it the case that in a large number of the houses, the cows, and sometimes the sheep, are housed in the house along with the people ?
—Yes.
10,579. Even for confinements, it is important to have fully trained nurses, because in many of of the cases it is not a proper place for a woman to be confined at all?
—No, of course you have got to make the best of the conditions.
10,580. You made the statement just now about the cattle in the houses, that it still exists in the majority of the townships ?
—In all the townships, With some exceptions.
10,581.. Don’t they go in by separate doors?
—Some do.
10,582. Do you think that these are fit places for the domiciliary treatment of tuberculosis in any form?
—No.
10,583. You can say, as medical officer of health, having been a practitioner here for a number of years, that in your opinion the great majority—very nearly all-of the houses are absolutely unfit either for the treatment of bone tuberculosis or pulmonary tuberculosis?
—Yes.
10,584. Is that putting it too strongly ?
—No.
10,585. Have you any cases of tetanus among the infants?
—It is practically done away with.
10,578. Is it the case that in a large number of the houses, the cows, and sometimes the sheep, are housed in the house along with the people ?
—Yes.
10,579. Even for confinements, it is important to have fully trained nurses, because in many of of the cases it is not a proper place for a woman to be confined at all?
—No, of course you have got to make the best of the conditions.
10,580. You made the statement just now about the cattle in the houses, that it still exists in the majority of the townships ?
—In all the townships, With some exceptions.
10,581.. Don’t they go in by separate doors?
—Some do.
10,582. Do you think that these are fit places for the domiciliary treatment of tuberculosis in any form?
—No.
10,583. You can say, as medical officer of health, having been a practitioner here for a number of years, that in your opinion the great majority—very nearly all-of the houses are absolutely unfit either for the treatment of bone tuberculosis or pulmonary tuberculosis?
—Yes.
10,584. Is that putting it too strongly ?
—No.
10,585. Have you any cases of tetanus among the infants?
—It is practically done away with.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Village memorial: Keose
FIRST WORLD WAR
Private JOHN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 12 Keose
(served as MARTIN). Son of Donald and Margaret MacKay, of Keose Lochs, Lewis, Scotland.
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles
Date of death: 5 June 1916
Age of death: 30
Private RODERICK SMITH
Last address in Lewis: Post Office Keose
Son of Angus and Alexanderina Smith
7th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 28 July 1917
Age of death: 24
SECOND WORLD WAR
Seaman ANGUS MCLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Gatehouse Keose
Royal Navy
Date of death: 4 March 1941
Private HECTOR ROSS MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: The Manse Keose Glebe
Son of Farquar and Annabella MacRae; husband of Nellie MacRae, of Oldham, Lancashire.
Pioneer Corps
Date of death: 6 April 1942
Age at death: 41
Private JOHN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 12 Keose
(served as MARTIN). Son of Donald and Margaret MacKay, of Keose Lochs, Lewis, Scotland.
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles
Date of death: 5 June 1916
Age of death: 30
Private RODERICK SMITH
Last address in Lewis: Post Office Keose
Son of Angus and Alexanderina Smith
7th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 28 July 1917
Age of death: 24
SECOND WORLD WAR
Seaman ANGUS MCLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Gatehouse Keose
Royal Navy
Date of death: 4 March 1941
Private HECTOR ROSS MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: The Manse Keose Glebe
Son of Farquar and Annabella MacRae; husband of Nellie MacRae, of Oldham, Lancashire.
Pioneer Corps
Date of death: 6 April 1942
Age at death: 41
Friday, 2 March 2012
The Dewar Commission at Stornoway - page 219
In October 1912, a Royal Commission visited Stornoway, under the chairmanship of Sir John A. Dewar, to investigate the provision of medical services in Lewis. Over the next few days, as I transcribe the report, I shall post some quotations to illustrate what conditions were like in the early years of the 20th century.
In this section, the discussion is with Dr Donald Murray, the then Medical Officer of Health, on the positioning of nurses across the island, in particular in the parish of Uig. The comments on the use of the telephone are noteworthy, as are the numbers of population of the various townships. The population of Brenish, 241 in 1912, is nowadays only a few dozen.
10,456. There is a nurse at Crowlista in the parish of Uig, but you think there should be another there ?
—Yes.
10,457. Where would you place her ?
—Within easy reach of Brenish.
10,458. Could you tell us the population there ?
—241.
10,459. Should there be a nurse for that population of 241 ?
—I admit it is a small population, but I think of the distances from the doctor. That district is about thirty miles from the doctor. A rearrangement of the nurses’ residences would be required.
10,460. A special nurse is sent for infectious cases ?
—Yes.
10,461. Are they treated in their own homes ?
—She is only employed for them at their own homes. In the burgh we usually take these cases to the hospital, but we don’t often take them to the hospital from these outlying districts because of the difficulty of transit.
10,462. How are you off for telegraphs and telephones?
—The telegraph system has improved. I don’t think in many parts they have got to go very far for a telegraph office At Brenish they have to go about ten or eleven miles to a telegraph office.
10,463. The telegraph system is fairly well developed ?
—Yes.
10,464. Have you any telephone?
—None except in connection with the telegraphs. In the burgh we have telephones.
10,465. Can you tell us if a doctor is allowed to speak over one of these telephones ?
—Not under the present conditions.
10,466. Have you ever tried ?
—I have never had occasion to try. I should imagine it is against the regulations.
10,467. It is quite possible that it could be done ?
—I have never thought of that. I don’t see why it should not be done.
In this section, the discussion is with Dr Donald Murray, the then Medical Officer of Health, on the positioning of nurses across the island, in particular in the parish of Uig. The comments on the use of the telephone are noteworthy, as are the numbers of population of the various townships. The population of Brenish, 241 in 1912, is nowadays only a few dozen.
10,456. There is a nurse at Crowlista in the parish of Uig, but you think there should be another there ?
—Yes.
10,457. Where would you place her ?
—Within easy reach of Brenish.
10,458. Could you tell us the population there ?
—241.
10,459. Should there be a nurse for that population of 241 ?
—I admit it is a small population, but I think of the distances from the doctor. That district is about thirty miles from the doctor. A rearrangement of the nurses’ residences would be required.
10,460. A special nurse is sent for infectious cases ?
—Yes.
10,461. Are they treated in their own homes ?
—She is only employed for them at their own homes. In the burgh we usually take these cases to the hospital, but we don’t often take them to the hospital from these outlying districts because of the difficulty of transit.
10,462. How are you off for telegraphs and telephones?
—The telegraph system has improved. I don’t think in many parts they have got to go very far for a telegraph office At Brenish they have to go about ten or eleven miles to a telegraph office.
10,463. The telegraph system is fairly well developed ?
—Yes.
10,464. Have you any telephone?
—None except in connection with the telegraphs. In the burgh we have telephones.
10,465. Can you tell us if a doctor is allowed to speak over one of these telephones ?
—Not under the present conditions.
10,466. Have you ever tried ?
—I have never had occasion to try. I should imagine it is against the regulations.
10,467. It is quite possible that it could be done ?
—I have never thought of that. I don’t see why it should not be done.
Village memorial: Islivig
FIRST WORLD WAR
Leading Deckhand JOHN MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Islivig
Son of Donald and Peggy MacAulay, of 7, Islivig Miavig, Stornoway, Lewis; husband of Catherine MacAulay, of Breanish, Islivig, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, SS Kenmore
Date of death: 2 March 1918
Age of death: 37
Rifleman ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: Islivig
Youngest son of Donald and Annie MacDonald. Native of Lewis, Scotland.
1st Bn 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Date of death: 4 December 1917
Age of death: 30
Leading Deckhand JOHN MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Islivig
Son of Donald and Peggy MacAulay, of 7, Islivig Miavig, Stornoway, Lewis; husband of Catherine MacAulay, of Breanish, Islivig, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, SS Kenmore
Date of death: 2 March 1918
Age of death: 37
Rifleman ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: Islivig
Youngest son of Donald and Annie MacDonald. Native of Lewis, Scotland.
1st Bn 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Date of death: 4 December 1917
Age of death: 30
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Village memorial: Holm
FIRST WORLD WAR
Private DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Holm
Highland Light Infantry
Date of death: 11 April 1917
Sergeant JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Holm
Highland Light Infantry
Date of death: 25 September 1915
Age of death: 35
Deckhand ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Holm
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Angus Macleod, of 5, Holm, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Linum
Date of death: 13 February 1919
Age of death: 19
Lieutenant-commander DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Holm
Son of Margaret Macdonald, of 10, Holm, Stornoway.
Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve, HMPS Ascot
Date of death: 10 November 1918
Age of death: 25
Seaman JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Holm
Son of Alexander and Margaret Macdonald
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Genia
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 18
SECOND WORLD WAR
Captain ALEXANDER MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 6 Holm
Son of Hector and Isabella Mackay, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. B.Sc. (Glasgow).
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 July 1944
Age at death: 31
Pilot Officer KENNETH ARCHIBALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 7 Holm
Son of Archibald and Mary McIver, of Merriwagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Royal Australian Air Force
Date of death: 3 October 1943
Age at death: 25
Gunner CHARLES KEMBLE
Last address in Lewis: 9 Holm
Son of Charles and Margaret Kemble; husband of Phyllis Joan Kemble, of Tooting, Surrey.
Royal Artillery, 268 Bty., 67 (2/5th Bn. The East Surrey Regt.) Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of death: 13 August 1940
Age at death: 21
Leading bombardier JOHN HEPBURN
Last address in Lewis: 9 Holm
Ross Mountain Battery, 203 Bty. 51 Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of death: 20 March 1945
Age at death: 33
Private DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Holm
Highland Light Infantry
Date of death: 11 April 1917
Sergeant JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Holm
Highland Light Infantry
Date of death: 25 September 1915
Age of death: 35
Deckhand ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Holm
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Angus Macleod, of 5, Holm, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Linum
Date of death: 13 February 1919
Age of death: 19
Lieutenant-commander DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Holm
Son of Margaret Macdonald, of 10, Holm, Stornoway.
Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve, HMPS Ascot
Date of death: 10 November 1918
Age of death: 25
Seaman JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Holm
Son of Alexander and Margaret Macdonald
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Genia
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 18
SECOND WORLD WAR
Captain ALEXANDER MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 6 Holm
Son of Hector and Isabella Mackay, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. B.Sc. (Glasgow).
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 July 1944
Age at death: 31
Pilot Officer KENNETH ARCHIBALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 7 Holm
Son of Archibald and Mary McIver, of Merriwagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Royal Australian Air Force
Date of death: 3 October 1943
Age at death: 25
Gunner CHARLES KEMBLE
Last address in Lewis: 9 Holm
Son of Charles and Margaret Kemble; husband of Phyllis Joan Kemble, of Tooting, Surrey.
Royal Artillery, 268 Bty., 67 (2/5th Bn. The East Surrey Regt.) Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of death: 13 August 1940
Age at death: 21
Leading bombardier JOHN HEPBURN
Last address in Lewis: 9 Holm
Ross Mountain Battery, 203 Bty. 51 Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of death: 20 March 1945
Age at death: 33
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