A very slushy day: snow practically gone except on heights. Motored to Sinton Mill (Mrs Lindores1) for David2. Sent away a whole lot of New Year greetings in response to Xmas cards +c I had got. This took me all afternoon + I got nothing done at the Summary cards3. Helen4 + I motored over to the Patons5 to supper + came back by the last train. I called at the Hospital6 going + walked along from the station when I got back. The child Young7 looks like dying. Felt a pain in my uvula8.
1 Alexander Lindores, ploughman, was “Inhabitant Occupier not rated” of a house at Synton Mill, Ashkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/301, Selkirk County, page 301 of 611]
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
3 The Muir and Graham medical co-partnership had changed its administration and Dr Muir was undertaking onerous work on record cards which included the so-called Summary cards
4 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper
5 The Patons were Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means, formerly in Selkirk they had flitted to Galashiels after the First World War
6 Dr Muir is not clear what he means by Hospital (to be fair why should he since he knew exactly which property he was alluding to?) but in this case it is likely to refer to Mauldsheugh
7 Adam Young, born 1920, died 30 December 1921 aet 1 year 10 months, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, usual residence 91 Forest Road, Selkirk, of “Scarlatina 6 days Diphtheria 8 days” certified by John S Muir M.B.; he was the son of Robert Henderson Young, plumber, and Mary Young née Stevenson [birth, 1920, 778/ 21, Selkirk; death, 1921, 778/ 87)]
8 Dr Muir was probably highly attuned to any symptoms that might indicate Diphtheria or Scarlet Fever
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 