( 15 ) 



THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE. 



For a long series of years during the latter half of the 

 last and beginning of the present century our grand- 

 father, Laurence Edmondston, was the only doctor in 

 the Shetland islands. And when you are told that in 

 those days the only modes of locomotion were on foot 

 or pony-back or by boat, you will easily understand 

 that in attending his patients the doctor's work was 

 most arduous. It also often involved no small danger. 

 But indeed " attendance," in the popular sense of the 

 term, was scarcely possible. This is how the practice 

 was carried on. A member of some laird's family 

 would fall ill ; an express was sent for the doctor — the 

 express being, in nine cases out of ten, a six-oared 

 boat. From many miles distant the summons would 

 come. The doctor would pack up his medicine-chest 

 and start on the long and often perilous journey. A 

 week's — it might even be a month's — sojourn under 

 the hospitable roof of the laird would follow, and during 

 that time all who had ailments in the neighbourhood 

 would flock to the doctor for medical aid and medicines. 

 There he would frequently remain until another urgent 

 call by the inevitable sixaerin would arrive from some 

 other island. 



