Author: rumblingclint

Pretty severe Sou’ Wester. Motored to Hospital +c Heather Mill, Forest Road. Gave Chlor[oform] for 2 cases at Viewfield a hernia + a mamma. Left at 1.50 + went straight to Henderland. Very rough at the Loch.¹ Found Jas. Mitchell rather better.² Tibby³ gave him a hypo of Morph. last night. Young Jas.⁴ has gravel.⁵ Came back by Newarkburn.⁶ Sent off a lot of my [word deleted] addressed post cards as Christmas cards, some as letters + some as P.C.s. Got Xmas cards for Dees⁷, Julia⁸, Clark Coupers⁹ + Jack Spittal.¹⁰ Helen¹¹ went to an entertainment by H.S. pupils in the Picture House.¹²

¹ Henderland, Megget, grid reference NGR NT232,233. Dr Muir has presumably driven along the northern edge of St Mary’s Loch where the road is close to the water.

² James Mitchell, senior (about 1854-1929), farmer at Henderland, Megget. In the 1921 Census the family comprised James Mitchell senior aet 67, James Mitchell junior, 35, Mary Richardson Mitchell, 33, Eliza Dalgleish Mitchell, 25, and Isabella Shiel Mitchell, 26.

³ Eliza Dalgleish ‘Tibby’ Mitchell (1896-1966), born Megget, daughter of James Mitchell senior (about 1854-1929), farmer, and Helen Mitchell née Mitchell, married, 1883, At Henderland, Megget, 1921 Census.

⁴ James Mitchell, junior (1886-1951), born Ettrick. farmer, son of James Mitchell senior (about 1854-), farmer, and Helen Mitchell née Mitchell, married, 1883, At Henderland, Megget, 1921 Census.

⁵ Gravel is small concretions of uric acid, calcium oxalate or phosphates, formed in the kidney and passed through the ureter, bladder and urethra.

⁶ Dr Muir had been visiting Shepherd’s House, Newarkburn, Selkirk to attend John McMillan Barrie (1914-1932), one of a pair of twins born 7 June 1914 at Fauldshope, sons of Alexander Barrie, shepherd, and Jessie Barrie née McMillan.

⁷ Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer, Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson and their family who had moved to Faldonside, Galashiels after the First World War.

⁸ The Editor speculates that this refers to Mary Julia Ballard (1862-1935), daughter of George Alexander Ballard, Madras Civil Servant, and Julia Mary Ballard née Anderson, whose mother had died 11 July 1922 at Philipburn, Selkirk.

⁹ The Clark Coupers are Christina Jane Couper née Clark (c.1850-1925) – whose maternal grandfather was Thomas Clark (c.1801-1865), law book seller (1851 Census), later publisher and founder of T & T Clark of Edinburgh – and her daughters Evelyn Susannah Couper, sometime Clark Couper (1872-1927) and Edith Hylda Hope Clark Couper (1878-1930). The family was at Thornfield, Selkirk in the 1911 Census and at Orchardmains House, Innerleithen [Traquair] with two servants in the 1921 Census.

¹⁰ John Kerr ‘Jack’ Spittal (1883-1946), accountant, son of Charles Grey Spittal (1836-1891) and Rachel Spittal née Harvey (1845-1917). He had married March 1918 at Hanover Parish, Jamaica, Alice Barbara Findlay (1894-1970).

¹¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

¹² This would be Selkirk Picture House but the event is so far unidentified.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Was called up by ’Phone at 5.20 for Jas. Mitchell, Henderland.¹ It was a dark night but calm + some frost. Mitchell had Angina Pect.² Gave him a hypo of Morph + Atrop.³ Got back a little after 9. Lovely sunrise but it soon clouded over + was damp + drizzly all day. Motored over to Woll Rigg.⁴ Wrote some Xmas letters⁵ to Somers⁶, Mrs Taylor⁷, Jas. Russell⁸ Agatha Sprot⁹, Charlie Boucher¹⁰ + Jessie Hayes.¹¹ Called at Kirklea + gave W.H.O.¹² a copy of Rorie’s poems¹³ as an “antidote to “Adventure Square”.¹⁴

¹ Assume James Mitchell, senior (about 1854-1929) of Henderland, Megget, Selkirkshire. At the 1921 Census the family comprised James Mitchell senior aet 67, James Mitchell junior, 35, Mary Richardson Mitchell, 33, Isabella Shiel Mitchell, 26, and Eliza Dalgleish Mitchell, 25.

² Angina pectoris or angina is chest pain.

³ Morphia and Atropine appear to be used to relieve pain and to reduce the spasmodic effects of the attack.

⁴ Perhaps to see William Dewar of Woll Rigg, Ashkirk, who had his hand lacerated when sawing a branch off a tree on 28 November 1922.

⁵ If the communication seems arbitrary it may be because Dr Muir sent cards late in reaction to cards he himself had received, see diary entries for 24 December 1914 and 24 December 1917.

⁶ The Editor speculates that this refers to the Somers, a Belgian evacuee family in Selkirk during the First World War see Dr Muir’s diary, 26 December 1914, but see also diary entry for 24 December 1920.

⁷ Conceivably Rhoda Taylor née Macintyre, later White (1873-). She had married, 1905, at Callander, Alexander ‘Sandy’ Taylor (about 1872-1917), M.A., LL.B., Sheriff-Substitute of Forfar who was killed in April 1917 near Fampoux, Arras. Rhoda re-married, 27 June 1921, Paddington, London, Samuel White, manufacturer, of ‘Highlands’, Taunton, Somerset. See Dr Muir’s diary for 31 December 1915 “… Had dinner party … Major & Mrs Taylor (he being Sheriff-Substitute of Forfar).”

⁸ James Russell is unidentified.

⁹ Agatha Elizabeth Margareta Sprot, later Purvis (1874-1962), daughter of John Sprot, army officer, and Cecilia Elizabeth Doveton.

¹⁰ Charles James ‘Charlie’ Boucher (1877-1947), locum to Dr Muir in 1902, but see also diary entry for 20 December 1922.

¹¹ Jessie Geddes Thomson Hayes née Muir (1860-1930), daughter of Alexander Muir and thus Dr Muir’s niece, but see also diary entry for 20 December 1922.

¹² William Henry ‘W H’ or ‘Will’ Ogilvie (1869-1963), author, journalist and one of Australia’s great Bush poets, living at Kirklea, Ashkirk.

¹³ Perhaps ‘The Auld Doctor, and Other Poems and Songs in Scots’ by David Rorie (1867-1946), D.S.O., M.D.C.M, D.P.H., doctor, folklorist and poet whose poem ‘Tam and the Leeches’ Dr Muir had recited at a Jubilee Nurses Concert on 30 November 2022 (“Faith there’s a hantle queer complaints | To cheenge puir sinners into saints | An’ mony divers ways o’ deein’ | That doctors hae a chance o’ seein’ | The Babylonian scartit bricks | To tell his doots o’ Death’s dark tricks.” etc).

¹⁴ Dr Muir’s second cousin Jean Frances Guthrie Smith (1895-1949), a poet, had published ‘Adventure Square’ (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1922) and on 20 October Dr Muir recorded that Ogilvie had written saying “All brains + brilliance without any melody or a right word or suggestion that makes the heart beat quicker or the blood run warm.”

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Frost this morning and dense fog : damp afterwards + rain a dismal day but calm. Saw 8 cases cases [sic] walking + finished by 12. Banked some money + drew £16. 1. 9. for outlays. Dr + Mrs Kennedy¹ came to lunch + we all went to a Child Welfare in the Victoria Hall² where I introduced the Duchess³ who presented the gifts off a Xmas tree. I left soon for a meeting of Hosp. Com^ttee. Felt another cold coming on. Sent Xmas cards to Boucher⁴, Hayes⁵ + Somers.⁶

¹ William Nicol Watson Kennedy (1888-1961), O.B.E., M.D. Edinburgh, M.R.C.P.Ed., D.P.E., medical officer of health and school medical officer for Selkirkshire circa 1921 but by June 1921 recorded in a similar role in Croydon, Surrey (1921 Census taken 19 June 1921), and Mary Balfour Kennedy née Alison (1889-1978).

² The Child Welfare event does not appear to have been covered by the Southern Reporter.

³ Margaret Alice Montagu Douglas Scott née Bridgeman (1872-1954), the Duchess of Buccleuch, wife of John Charles Montagu Douglas Scott (1864-1935), 7th Duke of Buccleuch, succeeded 5 November 1914.

⁴ Charles James ‘Charlie’ Boucher (1877-1947), locum to Dr Muir in 1902, born Belfast, was a medical student in Snaith and Cowick, Yorkshire, West Riding in 1901 and returned to Ireland before 1915, to general practice at Donaghcloney, Co. Down, marriage in 1911 to Martha Louise Denison, and eventual death. Boucher’s aunt with whom he was living in 1901 was Jane Shearburn née Auld, daughter of Charles Auld of Greenock and Isabella Auld née Logan, sister of Jane Logan, Dr Muir’s mother, making Dr Muir and Jane Shearburn first cousins, their shared grandparents being The Reverend James Logan and Catherine Stewart.

⁵ Jessie Geddes Thomson Hayes née Muir (1860-1930), daughter of Alexander Muir and thus Dr Muir’s niece.

⁶ The Editor speculates that this refers to the Somers, a Belgian evacuee family in Selkirk during the First World War see Dr Muir’s diary, 26 December 1914, while in 1916 Dr Muir noted “Got practical effusion from Rabagliati & cards from Isa Boucher & the Somers.” [diary entry for Thursday 21 December 1916].

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Not much rain but damp + sunless. Saw Gordon Ross¹ with David.² His symptoms are favourable. Motored to Heathpark, Forest Road, Dunsdale, Ashybank, Hospital + Curror Street. Drew £112 from Bank for Rates (? + Parish) + paid some accounts. Ordered cigarettes for David + a book on Fox Hunting for Jack.³ Jock looked in at dinner time.⁴ He has had concussion from a kick on the head.⁴

¹ James ‘Gordon’ Ross (1903-1994), the son of the Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942) and Elizabeth Elder Ross née Sinclair (1875-1939) had a motorbike accident the day before, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 18 December 1922.

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

³ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, later knighted.

⁴ John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), son of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir.

⁵ This may be a sign that Jock Roberts had already developed an appetite for risk. In 1937, when a woollen manufacturer, he took a flying certificate and he died relatively young in a climbing accident.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Some snow on hills this morning : occasional rain + in the evening some sleet + hail. Not much wind. Gordon Ross¹ had a spill from his motor bike at Galashiels + was taken into Henderson the dentist’s home² + attended by Somerville.³ I told his father who went to Gala + brought Gordon over to Viewfield.⁴ He has a fracture of the [illegible] but no bad symptoms. I made 11 town calls. Paid M + G⁵ Income Tax = £171 : 3 : 7. + arranged my own taxes + some accounts for payment. Mrs Steel⁶ came to tea + inspected the Brownies.

¹ James ‘Gordon’ Ross (1903-1994), son of the Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942) and Elizabeth Elder Ross née Sinclair (1875-1939).

² Thomas Syme Henderson (1878-1962), dental surgeon, of Abbotsford Road, Galashiels.

³ James William Somerville (1866-1934), medical practitioner, of Galashiels.

⁴ Viewfield, Selkirk, the Muir & Graham medical co-partnership’s nursing home.

⁵ The Muir & Graham medical co-partnership.

⁶ Assume the Hon. Vere Mabel Strang Steel née Cornwallis (1889-1964), daughter of Fiennes Stanley Wykeham Cornwallis, 1st Baron Cornwallis and Mabel Leigh (1866-1957), married Samuel Strang Steel, 3 August 1910.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Was knocked up at 4.15 a.m. to see John Anderson’s kid at Craighill.¹ She was not seriously ill. It was a very dark wet night but calm + mild + I didn’t feel the least cold the whole journey. Got back a little after 8. Walked to Chapel Street, Cannon Street, Hospital + Curror Street. Motored to Newarkburn (little John Barrie² much [illegible] by 8 gr Bromide powder) + back to Philiphaugh for lunch. Asked Sam³ for the empty Philiphaugh Cottage for Mrs Brown + he promised to give it.⁴ Went to evening service. Jack, Nancy,⁵ Louise⁶ + Mrs Mack⁷ were at supper.

¹ Assume Johan ‘Joan’ Muir Anderson, later Chisholm (1921-2009), who Dr Muir had attended 28 September 1922. She was born 1 August 1921 at Craighill, Ettrick, daughter of John Laidlaw Anderson, shepherd, and Grace Linton Anderson née Davidson, married 7 March 1919, Ettrick [birth 1921, 774/B 5, Ettrick].

² John McMillan Barrie (1914-1932), one of a pair of twins born 7 June 1914 at Fauldshope, sons of Alexander Barrie, shepherd, and Jessie Barrie née McMillan, married 7 June 1912 at Carnwath. In the 1921 Census they were all recorded at Shepherd’s House, Newarkburn, Selkirk.

³ Major Samuel Strang ‘Sam’ Steel (1882-1961), M.P., of Philiphaugh.

⁴ It is not clear who Mrs Brown was. The 1923 Valuation Rolls for Philiphaugh record two empty cottages but no tenant named Brown.

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

⁶ Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982), one of Dr Muir’s granddaughters.

⁷ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Dark foggy day + an almost continuous slight drizzle. Very calm. S [wind]. Saw some town cases + motored to Woll Rigg. Dewar’s hand¹ is doing splendidly. Baptie² motored Helen³ down to Melrose to see Mrs Kennedy⁴ + she returned by train.

¹ William Dewar, Woll Rigg, Ashkirk, who had his hand lacerated when sawing a branch off a tree on 28 November 1922. William Dewar, a manager, was recorded as Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house known as Wollrig, Ashkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/355, Selkirk County, page 355 of 611].

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

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

⁴ Assume Mary Balfour Kennedy née Alison (1889-1978), wife of William Nicol Watson Kennedy, medical officer of health and school medical officer for Selkirkshire circa 1921 but by June 1921 recorded in a similar role in Croydon, Surrey (1921 Census taken 19 June 1921).

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

A nice day. Calm + with a good deal of sun. A little hoar frost in the morning: mild. Cycled first thing to Newarkburn. Saw Dav.¹ begin removal of epitheliomas from Johnstone, the Yarrow man’s [? throat] whom I didn’t recognise with his moustache off.² Then I cycled to Ettrickbridgend where Jas. Mitchell I found had Scarlatina.³ Saw a Mrs J Neil⁴ at Fauldshope whom Dav. attended on Tuesday. Cycled altogether 26 miles miles + felt the better of it. Mrs Barton⁵ sent me some mealy puddings.⁶

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

² It is not possible to identify Johnstone from this description.

³ This may refer to James Mitchell, junior (1886-1951), or perhaps James Mitchell, senior (about 1854-1929). At the 1921 Census the family comprised James Mitchell senior aet 67, James Mitchell junior, 35, Mary Richardson Mitchell, 33, Isabella Shiel Mitchell, 26, and Eliza Dalgleish Mitchell, 25.

⁴ Mrs Neil is as yet unidentified.

⁵ This probably refers to Rebecca or Rebekah Monti Garden Barton née Grant (1867-1932), wife of Andrew Barton, farmer, married 1892 at Stirling (she was born Moulin, Perthshire, survived pneumonia and died aet 65 in 1932 at Upper Tofts, Cavers, Roxburghshire). At this time the family was at Oakwoodmill, Selkirk, comprising parents Andrew and Rebekah and four children Agnes Turnbull Barton (1896-1965), James Forbes Grant Barton (1893-), Simon Grant Barton (1900-) and Peter Grant McGregor Barton (1909-) [1921 Census].

⁶ Mealy puddings are traditionally mixtures that include oats, salt, onions and beef suet, but not blood.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

It must have rained a lot last night as the river was flooded but except for slight drizzle in the morning it kept fair during the day. Still mild N.W. Saw a town list of eleven walking including Ettrickbank Mill.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Some sunshine+ a little rain : delightfully mild + fairly clear. Saw Walt. Dryden, Buccleuch Road¹ – found him very far through. Walked to Kersknowe to see Mrs Bathgate.² Views all round very fine. Went via Galarigg + Whitmuir + returned via Whitmuirhall + Galarigg. Raining at night.

¹ Walter Elliot Dryden, woollen mill foreman, widower of Anne McRobie, died aet 73 at 73 Buccleuch Road, Selkirk [1922, 778/ 90, Selkirk].

² Eleanor ‘Ellen’ Bathgate née Davidson (about 1872-), born Carham, wife of Henry Bathgate, orraman [odd job man on farm], who was tenant at Kersknowe Holding, Bowden, Roxburghshire [1921 Census].

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]