1 August 1920 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Suffered from skibola¹ + had to use enema

Fine morning, showery in afternoon + evening: pleasant: not much wind S.W. Was called to Mrs Kerr², 32 Heatherlie, a fat Primip aet 29 whom D. has been expecting since the end of June. Delivered her at 3.30 (Chlor[oform] + forceps). Saw Bartie³ twice + found him considerably better. Tom⁴ + his wife there. Sent off wire for Jane in the morning. Ross⁵ away + a Mr McDonald doing locum. Had Mrs Mack to supper. Sam Steel⁷ rang up wanting a day at Loch Skene⁸. I said Sunday might do.

¹ Skibola seems to be the correct reading but the Editor can find no references and would welcome advice

² Agnes Allan Kerr (1920-2007), daughter of Francis William ‘Frank’ Kerr (1886-1968), baker, and Marion Reid Kerr née Thomson (c.1891-1977); her parents had married, 1919, at Mid Calder; Agnes married Alexander Frame Sommerville, 1945, Selkirk, and died 2007 at Dundee

³ James Bartie (c.1845-1921), chartered engineer, County Road Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector, at Alva Cottage, 1920 VR; he married, 1869, St George, Edinburgh, Margaret Lillian Bartie née Hay (c.1843-1918); James died 18 March 1921 at London, aet 76, Wandsworth 1d 428; will, James Bartie, 9 June 1921, surveyor, of Alva Cottage, Ettrickhaugh Road, Selkirk, testate, Selkirk Sheriff Court, SC63/34/48

⁴ Assume Thomas Bartie (1880-), factor, son of James Bartie (see previous footnote) and Margaret Lillian Bartie née Hay, married 1869, St George, Edinburgh; born Edinburgh

⁵ The Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942), Church of Scotland minister

⁶ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁷ Assume Samuel Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958

⁸ Loch Skene, grid reference NGR NT171,164, ENE of Birkhill on the Selkirkshire – Dumfriesshire boundary; it debouches into the Tail Burn above the Gray Mare’s Tail

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]