Author: rumblingclint

Snowing heavily this morning + up till 10 O’Clock. It was fresh forenoon [?] + there was less wind. There must be at least 7 or 8 inches. The slush in the afternoon was awful. The storms seem to have been general. Luckily there was very little county work. There was a message to George McGill, Sunderland Hall stables + I motored there + out to Banton. Could not get further than the top of [?] Brae. David Murray very ill.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

I never remember such a day as this so far on in spring. Last night the sky was clear + starry + the ground was all white this morning. During the forenoon there was some slight snow showers but from 2.30 till 7 there was one of several snow blizzards with a strong NE wind. Everything was smothered in snow + at night when Helen [Muir] + I came from Wellwood it was freezing hard. I went down to Mauldsheugh [surgery] at 10. D [Dr David Graham] operated on Barbara Henderson for a tubercular gland¹. Afterwards we saw Mitchell the [engineer’s son?] + opened a sinus in the perineum. I saw a few town cases + went to evening service.

¹ I am pleased to be corrected, the entry reads “tubercular gland”. The correspondent points out that “removal of enlarged lymph glands was not uncommon in the days of tuberculosis”

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Very cold. Cheviot + Windlestrawlaw quite white + very beautiful when lighted up by sunshine. I saw them as I walked to + from Longmoss. David [Graham] was at Broadmeadows + Yarrowford in forenoon + N Linton + Lilliesleaf in afternoon. At Lilliesleaf he has started a weekly consultation at John Hume’s.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Dav. Murray very ill: something cerebral. He is being nursed by a lady “friend” Miss Adamson. Very little doing in town. Georgina Elliot, South Port, is off her head + will have to go to Melrose [i.e. Dingleton Hospital]. Walked to Faldonside (Tom Mackie) + then via drove road to Longmoss. Very pleasant but got some rain, there were heavy showers among the hills. David was at Broadmeadows seeing 2 servants of Miss Watson (who has come to finish up her tenancy) + Whitehillbrae. Got a shock on hearing from Jean [Muir] that she is engaged to a private in the R.A.M.C.! Eheu!!¹

¹ The editor believes the reading here is ‘eheu’, traditionally translated as “Alas” (c.f. “Eheu fugaces labuntur anni” by Horace) but the Urban Dictionary’s gloss “An exclamation of calamity, misfortune or bad karma” may better reflect Dr Muir’s reaction to his daughter’s engagement

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A nice day: coldish but dry. In the forenoon motored first thing to Yarrowford Post Office (John Reid) + Hangingshaw where I saw Mrs McIntyre, wife of the new tenant. In the afternoon I walked to Longmoss to see Agnes Fairbairn, took Kelty. The views were clear. One small patch of snow on Windlestrawlaw. Came back by the reservoir (where a party of ladies + kids were boating) + Greenhead. Got the accounts all put up for delivering. David [Graham] was called to Ettrickshaws at night.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A sunless day, except for a little while in the evening. Town list getting much smaller. Was knocked up at 4.30 to see David Murray at Cleghorn [?], Backrow. He had an attack of sickness and vertigo. Saw him in the forenoon + at night + Dav [Dr David Graham] saw him in the afternoon. Got a lot of accounts addressed, D helped me. Posted all the County ones. Dav was at Yarrowford, Newark School¹ + Oakwood Mill. Helen [Muir] + Barbara [Roberts] cycled to Hawkshaw for tea + went with all the Wellwooders² to a concert in the Picture House for the cricket club.

¹ Assume the school at grid reference NGR NT423,287, and visible on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch Selkirkshire Sheet XI.NE, published 1900

² The ‘Wellwooders’ were John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Louisa Jane Roberts (1906-1982), Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

No frost. Fine weather continues. Warmer than yesterday. Motored first thing to Thirlestane + came back via Hartleap to Hangingshaw where people called McIntyre have come for Easter. I saw no one but one of the maids who fell down stairs on Sunday + had concussion. Mrs McIntyre phoned me after I got home. Called for John Reid + Alex^r Ruickly, Yarrowford¹. Dav [Dr David Graham] came up + helped to address the accounts.

¹ Alexander Ruickle, retired, lived at Yarrowford

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Some hoar frost again this morning + a fine day. D [Dr David Graham] was up Ettrick as far as Midgehope. I cycled to Heatherlie + round by Linglie to Sunderland Hall S. Lodge. Stopped at the burying ground + walked up the walk opposite Lindean Mill¹. It was very pretty looking up the river. I was never there before. Came back. At 4.30 got ‘phone to see Lady Napier: motored up. She had asthma. Gave her hypo of Adrenalin. Had some dinner with Rita + her new “Baby”. Lord N in Edinburgh. Got home at 10.30. M + G’s [Muir and Graham’s] income for 1st year not less than £1885.

¹ Dr Muir had stopped at the Sunderland Hall Aisle, approximate grid reference NT480,314, which is almost opposite Lindean Mill across the Ettrick Water; it is also shown on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch Selkirkshire Sheet VIII.SW, published 1900

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Quite a change of weather again. Thick hoar frost + a brilliant sunny day with sharp NE wind. A really splendid Easter Sunday but not really genial. Gave Chlor[oform] at Mauldsheugh for curretting + cycled to Faldonside, coming back by Raeburn Place +c. Gave Maggie letter + finished accounts. Was called over at 4.45 in Dav’s [Dr David Graham’s] absence to see Mrs Michael, Cannon Street. Went to united service in our church. Large combined choir. [illegible phrase]. Jack, Nancy, Barb, Jock + Louisa came to supper¹. Saw Mrs Tulloch for D [Dr David Graham] + was called down to Mrs Scott, Mavisbank. D had a long day up Ettrick to Midgehope returning by R? + Dryhope.

¹ The Roberts family (minus the youngest two) comprising John junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ (1878-1948), Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ or ‘Barb’ (1902-1996), John Stewart ‘Jock’ (1904-1950) and Louisa Jane (1906-1982)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Fine up till midday + then showery. Mild S.E. to S. Had a very busy day, there were 9 or 10 new messages. I saw some 20 town cases: dressed Mrs Nichol, Miss Lunn, Miss Jenkins + F Roberts + went to Beechwood, Thirladean, Bowhill N. Lodge, Black Andro + Newarkburn. At 9 Mrs Dewar, Prieston sent for me + the baby was born a long time before I arrived¹. Guy², Helen + Dora came up from Newstead + spent the day. Bk [?] Holiday + Kelso races.

¹ Beatrice Dewar was born at Prieston, Bowden, Roxburghshire, 19 April 1920

² Assume Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

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