5 December 1923 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

NB: the diary entries for 4 and 5 December 1923 were transposed, so see yesterday’s entry for the today’s new content.

I had a most miserable day in the house with about the worst Coryza I ever had. My nose ran like a spigot in spite of inhalation + cough mixture. David¹ saw Willie Stoddart² + there was really nothing else. Helen³ was giving tea in the Volunteer Hall for the [illegible] Club. She had a letter from Dora.⁴ It was a decided though calm thaw. [Wind] N.E. Nancy⁵ came back from St Abbs.⁶ Barometer: 28.85 29.27.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

² This may refer to William Stoddart (about 1850-), retired shepherd, recorded as a boarder at Deloraine Hope, Kirkhope, in the 1921 Census.

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, who was living and working in Egypt at this time.

⁵ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

⁶ The Roberts (probably Nancy and whichever children were travelling with her by 1923) had been holidaying at the Haven, St Abbs since early November.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]