15 July 1921 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

I hadn’t a single thing to do till I got a message to see Williamina Scott¹, Dovecot in the afternoon. [word deleted] but I was for 2 hours solid standing to give Chlor[oform] first for Nelly Turnbull² whose breach D. removed + Jas. Riddell³ from whose elbow he removed some tuberculous bone. Made out accounts. Attended Mrs Little⁴, Croft Terrace who had a d. at 6.20. p.m. Dora⁵, Crissie⁶ + Miss Campbell⁷ went in the car to Glenkinnon⁸ + called for Mich [?] Glendinning⁹. There were a few drops of rain in the morning + evening but nothing at all. Letters from Guy and Helen¹⁰.

¹ Williamina Scott, Dovecot is presumably Miss Wilhelmina Keddy Scott (about 1844-1923), dressmaker, who was proprietor of a house and garden at 22 Dovecot Park, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/131, Selkirk Burch, page 131 of 644]

² Nelly Turnbull’s baby does not appear to have survived and Dr Muir’s phrasing here is not positive

³ Assume James Riddell, millworker, who was tenant at 3 Inglis Close, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/153, Selkirk Burch, page 153 of 644]

⁴ Jean Messer Little, born 15 July 1921, daughter of James Little, cabinetmaker, and Jean Little née Walker, married 1913, Selkirk [1921, 778/76, Selkirk]

⁵ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁶ Christina Robertson Rodger ‘Christy’ or ‘Chrissie’ Patrick (1891-1960), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (c.1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official, and David Patrick, solicitor, of Hamilton

⁷ Miss Sarah Campbell is unidentified

⁸ The Glenkinnon Burn descends from the back of Elibank and Traquair Forest, descends through grid reference NGR NT425,339 and debouches into the River Tweed immediately above Ashiestiel Bridge.

⁹ Assume Michael Glendinning (d.1922), retired farmer, tenant occupier, house and garden at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish [1919 + 1920 Valuation Rolls] and formerly the tenant at Williamhope [1905 Valuation Roll]

¹⁰ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), United Free Church of Scotland Minister, Dr Muir’s brother and his wife Helen Drysdale Wilson (though if the text reads letters – as it may – then Helen will refer to Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’’s third daughter)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]