Statistical Account of Scotland - Barony Parish - Climate

written about 1791-1798, published 1799 - Transcribed by Linda Nisbet, New Zealand

Climate and Diseases.

The climate is temperate, the air healthy, though rather moist, when compared with the eastern parts of Scotland, and many of the inhabitants live to an advanced age, though at present there are none above 90 years old. The diseases most prevalent are consumptions and fevers; which last, for want of proper attention to cleanliness, and a free circulation of fresh air, prove so infectious, as generally to go through the whole family, and relapses are very frequent. The common people, however, are now beginning to be more attentive than formerly to the cleanliness and ventilation of their houses. Indeed, from the increase of trade, and of wealth among them, their houses, and the whole style of their living is much improved within these few years. This season the small-pox has been very frequent among the children, and vast numbers have died. Inoculation is yet far from being generally practised, though the unreasonable prejudices entertained against it are gradually wearing off. In the villages, the great bulk of the inhabitants being employed in manufactures, many of them are very subject to flatulency, and the diseases incident to sedentary people. And the weavers, probably from the want of due circulation by the pressure of the seat, are very often afflicted with what they call sore legs, or bad ulcers in their legs, very difficult to be healed. Lime-water has been used of late in many cases with great success.

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