Accidents – perhaps incurred while hunting, or fighting. Hunting could be very dangerous, but was an essential activity to obtain food, as well as hides/fur for clothing, sinew for cordage and bone for tools such as the Mesolithic bone harpoon in the WHM collections. With no understanding of hygiene, wounds could become infected leading to sepsis and death.

Childbirth – this was very hazardous for women. Not only during early times, but for most of human history, women had a one in ten chance of dying in childbirth. These outcomes improved dramatically with improvements in sanitation and diet, as well as medical understanding.

Malnutrition – food supply was always uncertain, and there would be times of scarcity and hunger.

Plague – The bubonic plague of mid-14th century is little documented in the Highlands, but there is evidence of plague treatments, so it seems unlikely that Lochaber escaped this terrible scourge.

Poor diet – During the middle ages, poor people would be able to obtain meat around once a month. Many traditional Scottish recipes such as Scotch broth, could eke out a small amount of meat, and could be eaten by those who had lost teeth. There was no dentistry, and people could die of dental abscesses. Lack of vitamin C could cause loose teeth.

Warfare – Not only were men killed in battles, but war had a terrible aftermath for communities. The loss of working men could mean starvation. Men could be left with disabilities limiting their ability to carry out farm work.

Battle-injured soldiers would be treated by a ‘barber surgeon’ who was not a physician. There was no anaesthetic or medical hygiene. His equipment would include a range of grisly-looking saws, knives, pliers and hooks…and leeches. It wasn’t all wrong though – leeches can still be used in medical treatments even today, for certain types of wound.

Cholera was endemic in India. ‘Endemic’ means it was always present in that area but not spreading. British troop movements during the Empire years caused it to become pandemic. Most of you will be familiar with the word ‘pandemic’ – it means a disease that spreads rapidly, and probably internationally. Cholera was a lethal, terrifying water-borne disease which could kill you in a matter of hours. It swept over Asia, Russia and Europe several times,and was finally stopped when public sanitation was installed.

Smallpox – this was another killer disease which left its victims covered in nasty blister-like spots. Women who milked cows contracted a different, milder disease called cow pox which provided immunity to smallpox. This meant that their skin was saved from the terrible pock-marks left by smallpox.

Tuberculosis – This disease of the lungs was a major killer of the 19th century. It was spread by droplets in other people’s breath. It still exists today though it is rare in wealthier countries. Highlanders had to leave their croft houses, however humble, for overcrowded city tenements which provided ideal conditions for tuberculosis infection. Other killers were whooping cough, measles and typhus.

Potato famine/ Gaiseadh a’ bhuntàta – A potato disease caused failure of the potato crop in the mid-19th century. It caused the potatoes to rot in the earth, and made a horrible stench. The potato blight blew over from Ireland, where it caused over a million deaths, while millions more were forced to emigrate. As with Ireland, the poor Highland crofters were dependent on potatoes for survival, even though the land was producing other foods to be sold. In the Highlands, thousands of people died of hunger, and many more fled the Highlands to the towns and cities of the Central Belt.

Poison – a lack of knowledge about dangerous substances meant that some ‘cures’ could contain poisonous mercury.

Child mortality – Deaths of children under ten accounted for more than half the deaths in the 19th century. The highest proportion of deaths occurred in the age group under five years.

Sanitary improvements – Clean water is an absolute essential for human life. in the second half of the 19th century, public works began to be carried out to improve public sanitation, and inspectors were appointed. But in the Highlands, progress was slower. Human waste (poo) was still being disposed of in a midden or ash-pit behind people’s houses, and water often stored within homes, which was not sanitary.

There were huge leaps forward in medicine together with rising living standards, diet and hygiene, especially after the World Wars. This transformed health and wellbeing for the people of Lochaber.

The National Health Service was founded in 1948.

Infant mortality fell by 89% between 1911 and 1968.

The old Belford Hospital was built in 1865, and the one we have today was built in 1965.

The battle against the diseases of poverty was mostly won by 1950.

Smoking was almost universal. Everybody stank! Ashtrays like this were disgusting!!

Sedentary lifestyle – this means we are sitting too much! This can cause health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. We need to ensure that the importance of exercise is understood.

Unhealthy food – Sadly, unhealthy choices are often cheaper, so achieving a healthy diet will be very hard for many people. Also, many people prefer processed, sugar-laden foods. What makes a healthy balanced diet? A healthy diet can be achieved whether we eat Western/Scottish food, or for example Asian or Polish cuisine.

Mental health – many people find 21st century life very stressful. As society changes, one issue nowadays is lack of community. Many of us spend too much time with our phones.

We are lucky to live here in Lochaber – a beautiful place, in a country with a National Health Service.

What would be an ideal future for people’s health and wellbeing in Lochaber? Do you have any ideas that would help people live healthier and happier lives? For example, vegetable growing projects, free access to sporting and hobby activities, and getting involved in projects to improve a sense of community.