Living With the Cows.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 December 1913, Page 4

Living With the Cows.

CONDITIONS IN HIGHLANDS

Some very unpleasant facts are revealed in the second volume of the report just published of the committee appointed to inquire into the provision of medical attendance in the Highlands and islands of Scotland.

Dr John Macwonald lloss, of Stoi noway, one of the witnesses, was questioned by Sir John A. Dewar, M.P., chairman of -the committee, in regard to epidemics and replied that sometimes the epidemics which broke out were of a serious nature. The last was typhus fever in the village of Borve. • Sir John Dewar: Are the houses very bad?— Just the ordinary houses. That means that they are just as bad as they can be ?—They are no worse than in the other districts. Were the cows in the house?— Yes. Do you know anything about Ireland? I don't think there is anything so bad in Ireland?—l don't think so.

Dr Ross was asked whether the conditions were a test of the capacity of human endurance in the midst of the worst surroundings, and replied that he did not think that would be putting it too strongly. He knew the houses had been built deliberately to contain both cattle and human beings. Dr Malcolm McLeod said persons suffering from infectious diseases remained in their homes. They did not get any nursing; they were simply allowed to lie there; nor did they receive any nourishment beyond milk and

water.