Archive in a Pandemic A-Z: P is for

PAST PANDEMICS

Image  BBC

Remember in Pride and Prejudice when they kept asking each other if their families were well? And poor Mr Woodhouse getting in a tizzy about draughts and open windows in case his dear daughter Emma got sick?

Much of the pre-20th century correspondence in the Orkney archive (and much after that, actually), begins with an enquiry about the receiver and their family's health and a thorough breakdown of the various aches, fevers and pains experienced by the sender and their family. 

In March, after receiving and sending similar electronic queries/updates to our family and friends, the archive staff had a better understanding of how these people must have felt. With no immunisations, antibiotics or even basic knowledge of how infections spread, health was a constant concern.

Reading through a series of archives from 1831-1832 documenting the approach of the 2nd cholera pandemic, some of the events and feelings expressed felt very familiar, others less so:

OA reference D2/2/14

On the 21st November 1831, Captain William Balfour of Elwick was concerned about 'the extreme probability of it being brought here by some of the vessels so frequently passing...' and outlined the measures already undertaken by the inhabitants of Kirkwall; a Board of Health had been set up and a committee appointed, the town had been divided into districts and the Old Manse had been cleaned and outfitted as an infirmary. 

The town was 'keeping a watch over vessels coming from infected places until the wind permits their proceeding to the quarantine station.'

Printed leaflets were also circulated to the public advising of symptoms and treatments.

Money was an issue. A subscription was to be set up amongst the wealthier inhabitants but a recent downward turn in the kelp trade was expected to limit contributions. 'Medical men' were apparently prepared to offer their services for free but assistants were required who 'must not only be paid, but paid highly or they will not be got in a place like this.'

OA Reference D1/182/1/15

By 22nd January 1831, James and Graham Leask wrote to their son in Wapping to reassure him that. despite rumours in London that 'the cholera morbus is in Kirkwall, and that there have been cases of it and two died...'. that it not only was not in the islands but that 'severall preventive boats' had been stationed to stop any sick travellers disembarking.

OA Reference D2/20/11

It had reached East London by the 15th of January 1832 according to a letter written to William Balfour by his Uncle John. 

'P.S. You will hear soon by the newspapers that the cholera has reached the Eastern parts of this metropolis, it has hitherto made small progress'.

Later that month, Rev. William Logie of Daisybank, Kirkwall, wrote to William G. Watt to discuss the latter's suggestion that the 'Orkney bairns' (presumably those children at school in the city) should be brought home from Edinburgh to save them from the epidemic:

OA Reference D3/400 - click to enlarge.

 Rev. Logie recognised the fact that 'the attendance and assistance required might be made more promptly and effectively rendered by affectionate relatives' but thought that the danger of the winter journey home was equal to the risk of the disease, especially when there were far more doctors and a good hospital in the city.

He ended the letter with the opinion that it was best 'just to leave our young people to the care of providence.'

The Kirkwall Justice of the Peace records for May 1832 include a meeting discussing the necessity to train up constables and station them at ports in order to stop 'vagrants' bringing disease to Orkney and 'and compel them to return to the places from whence they came':

OA reference JP/34/2/2

The 'chollera' had reached Thurso and Wick by October 1832 but the Leasks still had faith in the 'preventive boats' stopping 'straglers or strangers' alighting:

OA reference D1/182/1//22

There was an air of fatalism in many of the letters and a hope that providence and The Lord would continue to keep Orkney safe. There was also a feeling of gratitude for the lack of pestilence in the islands, something which Orcadians felt during 2020 following a relatively low incidence of disease:

OA reference D1/182/1/23

'thankful to God and also that the Lord is slaid (slayed) the plague from amongst you and also is hitherto kept it from entering into Orkney'

Another similarity with today's experience was the dissemination of false information. We found this leaflet asserting that cholera could be treated merely by administering spoonfuls of clarified butter:

Papers - Medical (Misc.) 610Y - Orkney Room

These documents were a result of a quick search between enquiries and I have not yet ascertained how badly Orkney suffered during the cholera pandemic. Some town council minutes would be useful and it would also be interesting to find out where the quarantine station was. Stay tuned...

Call The Midwife! (The Orcadian Edition)

Well this is an interesting book. Jannet Mowat of Victoria Street Kirkwall kept a midwifery account book from 1830-1855.

She started as a nurse and so the first few entries are for 'giving ingections' and 'attending you as a sick nurse', but soon the entries list the boys, 'lasses' and 'girrels' that she has delivered across Orkney. (Kirkwall, Evie, Sanday, North Ronaldsay and PapaWestray are all mentioned.)

Sometimes the baby's name is listed and sometimes they are listed as still born or 'to be a still child.' Prices seemed to vary from customer to customer with most paying about 5 shillings for Jannet's services but the rate rises to £2 or even £3 for some customers.

Does anyone have an idea of why this would be? (It's not inflation as it happens throughout the whole book and it doesn't look like some were paying in installments.)

P.S. She wrote her married name more than once on the back page of the notebook like girls do with boys they fancy at school!

P.P.S. We NEVER did this.