Dr James D M Douglas
Salmon farming became a commercial reality for rural communities in Scotland from the mid 80s and has grown rapidly to become the multi-national industry of agriculture which has overtaken agriculture in economic importance to fragile rural economies in the Highlands and Islands. The occupational hazards of working in water and controlling fish diseases have all required occupational medical advice from rural doctors defining new areas of knowledge. Automated salmon processing has been shown as a new cause occupational asthma by a rural doctor. These examples demonstrate the importance of clinical acumen, local knowledge and research skills in rural doctors who are best placed to consider the health effects of new rural industries.