Source A is from a History Textbook published in 1998

1. Source A is from a History Textbook published in 1998 The byre was at the lower end of the house so that the urine would drain into the arable land. The ammonia from the urine also helped to sterilise the house. Each spring the byre would be cleaned out. The manure would be placed on the crops as fertiliser. Human waste would also be gathered for this purpose with the urine being used for treating fabrics such as tweed. The peat smoke from the open fire would fill the house and would act to sterilise the house also killing bugs and germs. It would escape by seeping through the thatch, enriching it with soot. The soot-saturated thatch was removed periodically and used as a fertiliser for the crops. How useful is Source A at describe the living conditions in rural Scotland during the 19th century?

2. Source B is from the Report on the Sanitary Condition of the Lews sent to the Local Government Board for Scotland in 1905 makes grim reading. Three cows occupied about two-thirds of the available space. There was only a hole in the roof above the fire and one above the door through which light and air could enter. There was only a wooden plank on the earth floor, resting on stones without a bed, or bedding. In this awful den, not fit for a pig, there are housed two wretched old paupers, who are compelled to crouch over the peat fire all night as there is no bed to retire to. One of the cows has a most suspicious hacking cough. How useful is Source B in describing rural living conditions in the 19th century?

3. Source C is taken from a Minister’s Census report in 1645 Rheumatism is very common here; it is rather a matter of surprise that it is not more frequent, considering their damp and dirty houses. The inhabitants are exposed to rain and cold, and their clothing is poor. Fevers are not uncommon; and many infants die of a complaint called ‘the five night sickness,’ from their dying of it upon the fifth or sixth night. There are no instances of any who have been seized with it that escaped, nor has the nature of this uncommon disease been as yet fully comprehended by the most skilful upon this island. How useful is Source C in describing rural life in Scotland during the 19th century?