GLASGOW GALS - SEX, ALCOHOL AND RELIGION

By Patrick Trust
Contact the author by e-mail at christopher.johnstone@ntlworld.com

Strange that two women from such contrasting backgrounds should launch their books this summer - A biography ‘Miracles from Mayhem’ by Irene Howat about May Nicholson and then ‘Sex on the Rates’ an autobiography by Libby Wilson. May would be instantly recognised as a heartsink alcoholic patient by most GPs while Libby comes from a medical background typical of many GPs, and she pioneered a family planning service to heartsinks in Glasgow.

I met May a few years ago at a fundraising event for Glasgow City Mission and found her narrative compelling. I have found religion a bit of a problem since coming to Glasgow from Paddington over 30 years ago - it is a strange city served by two gods wearing green or blue and I used to wonder why I was addressed as father by my first patients. May Nicholson now works for the Preshal Trust in Govan and her biography is a stunning example of pragmatic religion at work. Thank God that there are stories like this to refute my stuck attitudes towards alcoholics. I found it much easier to understand how the hopelessness of an upbringing in Ferguslie Park in Paisley could lead on to a life of drugs and alcohol. A GP adds his bit to the book and confirms that May was a hopeless alcoholic sunk well below the bottom. It is compelling reading and this quote from the book is what it is all about – ‘I can hardly believe some of the things I was involved in during the years I was married, but they help me to remember the depths that can be reached, and I hope and pray that they keep me from ever feeling proud.’ I feel proud to have chatted to May about her work and recommend this little book to everyone with or without attitudes or beliefs.

I met Libby Wilson over 30 years ago when coming up from London to work at the MRC Unit at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow. She was the wife of Graham, the Professor of Medicine who was a remarkable man, but she was a formidable character in her own right and had quite a reputation as the Depo or jag queen. I found her a bit larger than life with stories to match from the deprived areas of Glasgow where Libby set up the Domicillary Family Planning Service. Her father was a GP and her upbringing although tough was fairly conventional if messed up by a war. The book gives fascinating insights into middle class England and Scotland before I was born. The preNHS era did not seem to be too good for a GP in the highlands from her story. I admired the courage of a lady entering alone to some of the housing schemes, and it was a brave doctor who entered here but the only casualty seemed to be the poor wee mini. Her foreword about experiences working with administration still holds true today – ‘I have learnt to ‘’put not my trust in princes’’(or administrators). There have been four occasions when false words were spoken and promises were made which, even at the time, those in authority had no intention of honouring.

So here are two books showing how practical care can be given to the most deprived in our cities. Both women have got on with the job they believed to be vital to maintain the health of body and soul, and both have achieved huge improvements for the quality of life for the poorest and most hopeless in the eyes of others.

Both books are published in Scotland ,well worth reading, and help to explain where we are now in our deprived inner cities.

Miracles from Mayhem by Irene Howat published by Christian Focus Publications Ross-shire. ISBN 1-85792-897-0

Sex on the Rates by Libby Wilson published by Argyll Publishing, Glendaruel, Argyll. ISBN 1-902831-70-5

Other hoolet online articles by Patrick Trust can be found at:
hoolet edition 44 - Vale of Tears
hoolet edition 41 - Glasgow Gals - Sex, Alcohol and Religion

hoolet is the magazine of RCGP Scotland. It is supported intellectually, financially and emotionally by RCGP Scotland.

This issue maintained by Robert Hallam.