A dull, foggy, calm, cold day. Saw Mrs Hudson¹, Buccleuch Road twice. Gave her an intra uterine in the evening. Motored to Clarklands² [sic] to see a tramp + sent him to Poorhouse. Called for Mark Sprot³, keeping better. Saw a few town cases after + did a little more at my speech. Mrs Mackintosh⁴ sent me ½ doz. Port. Helen⁵ was there at tea.

¹ Annie Hudson née Lynch, I’ll after the birth of her daughter Agnes Lynch Hudson

² Clerklands, Ashkirk

³ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose home was known by Dr Muir, because of her generosity, as ‘the Magic Cave’

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

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

Snow completely gone except on hills. Foggy + at times drizzling. Walked down to Mrs Hudson¹ + found her wonderfully well. Motored to Faldonside (Dees² ‘Phoned me last night at Wellwood). She³ had another attack like that she had after the funeral. It occurred to me last night that possibly she might have taken something alcoholic. I didn’t like to mention it to Dees but to my surprise he said she had occasionally done so but he didn’t think on this occasion. I was in the house all afternoon + concocted some remarks for Waugh’s lecture⁴. Carlota Rodger⁵ called to have her ear syringed.

¹ Annie Hudson née Lynch who had been ill after the birth of her daughter Agnes Lynch Hudson on 12 December 1920

² Robert Irwin ‘Robber’ Dees (1872-1943) of Faldonside whose daughter Phyllis had died in early December

³ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), Phyllis Dees’ mother, who had collapsed after her daughter’s funeral (see diary entry for 4 December)

⁴ Author Joseph Laing Waugh (1868–1928) was due to speak at Selkirk on 16 December

⁵ Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-1958), Dr Muir’s wife’s 1st Cousin Once Removed

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

I was called last night at 9 to Mrs Hudson, Buccleuch Road. She was very ill so I came home + went down again at 11.45. I got her over¹ at 1 (C. + F.²) but found the placenta adherent + had to separate it from the uterus. Did not get to bed till 3.30. Late with breakfast. Went down with Nurse Beck³ + got Mrs H douched + changed. She was pretty well. Motored to Riddell⁴. As I came home this morning it was beginning to snow + there were some heavy showers of snow in the forenoon. Later it got soft. Helen⁵ was down at Elmpark⁶ for lunch. Saw Mrs Hudson in evening: went to evening service + supped at Wellwood⁷.

¹ Agnes Lynch Hudson (1920-1974), daughter of John William Hudson and Ann Purves ‘Annie’ Hudson née Lynch, born 12 December 1920 at Buccleuch Road, Selkirk

² Assume chloroform and forceps

³ Nurse Elizabeth Fyfe Beck (1865-1954), born Dumfriesshire, died Ceres, Fife; the Southern Reporter, 10 August 1916, describes her as a District Nurse at Selkirk before she was released to take up military nursing and she had obviously returned there

⁴ Dr Muir had been visiting Riddell, Lillieleaf to see Mark Sprot

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter

⁶ Elmpark, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)

⁷ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, home of the Roberts family

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

Another foggy calm moist cold day + some drizzle at night. Saw two or three walking + motored to the Firs¹ + Oakwood. Mr Linton² much better. Was not out in the afternoon. Arranged some bills + mourned over the amount of my taxes £102.19.8 ½ ! Helen³ came home at 6. The Clark Coupers⁴ called + with them a Miss Jardine⁵ whom I once attended at Thornfield with chicken pox.

¹ The Firs, Selkirk was the home of Patrick Smith, advocate, Alice Smith née Paterson and their daughter Alice B S Smith

² Assume Simon Linton (1836–1921), farmer, of Oakwood, Selkirk

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

⁴ Assume Christina Jane Couper née Clark (c.1850-1925) and her daughter Evelyn Susannah Couper, sometime Clark Couper (1872-1927); the family had been living at Thornfield, Selkirk in the 1911 Census but after the Reverend David Couper, Christina’s husband, died in 1913 the two women appear to have lived in Peeblesshire

⁵ Not identified

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

Foggy drizzling cold day. Saw 5 town cases + motored to the Firs¹ to see Mrs McPherson, the cook. Spent most of the day reading up first aid + concocting questions for the examination of David’s Class at Lilliesleaf². The Misses Taylor³ motored me over at 7 + we didn’t get back till 11.10. 14 females + 2 males appeared. Miss Taylor was much the best + her sister next. Some were awfully stupid. Called at Riddell going + found Mark [Sprot⁴] downstairs.

¹ Home of Patrick ‘Pat’ Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute, sometime of The Firs, Selkirk

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

³ Not identified

⁴ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll

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

A nice sunny day with a touch of frost in the morning. I cycled over to Riddell avoiding the road from the top of Birkwood entries to Clarklands [sic] by going down the former¹. Mark Sprot² rather better. Came back by Midlem which way is almost 7 ½ miles compared with 5 ½ via Clarklands. Made a few calls in afternoon + tried to get up something for the toast of “Kindred Profession”. Left with D. [David Graham] at 6 + went to Kelso where in the Cross Keys we had the annual dinner of the Div. Fleming³ in the chair. There was a good turnout of 20 members + at least 10 guests, among whom was Drever⁴, Scottish Secretary. I sat between Fleming + Stevenson⁵, who is Provost. I proposed “Kind. Profs.” + recited The Pill⁶. We got home about midnight. It began to rain first as we got to Ladylands.

¹ This suggests that the problem with the road near Clerklands was east of the junction at grid reference NGR NT489,246 from which the track southwards leads to Birkwood at NT494,236

² Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ Assume Alexander Dickson Fleming (1865-1955), M.B., Ch.B. (Edin.), medical practitioner, physician at Kelso Dispensary and Medical Officer to Kelso Union

⁴ Assume Sir James Drever (1873-1950), F.R.S.E., Scottish psychologist and academic who was the first Professor of Psychology at a Scottish university

⁵ Provost Allan Stevenson (about 1853-1927), bank agent & actuary, born Gibraltar, died Kelso, stayed at Commercial Bank House with his wife Esther Margaret Stevenson née Murray, 1911 Census

⁶ ‘The Pill’ is a poem that Dr Muir has recited before but is so far unidentified

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

Some frost this morning which did not hold. Helen went with Mrs Mackintosh¹ to visit Mrs Simpson². I motored to Riddell. Found Mark Sprot³ rather better but a lot of fine erepititions at both bases. Then after tea I went to Oakwood. Attended meeting of Visiting Committee at Hospital at 12.15. to arrange about gardener + “economical management”. I brought the Omega stoves to their notice + the painting of the [illegible]. Went to the Picture House with Barb.⁴ to see funeral procession of the Unknown Warrior.

¹ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

² Assume Margaret ‘Maggie’ Simpson née Watson (1857-1939), sister of Mrs Agnes Mackintosh

³ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁴ Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), one of Dr Muir’s granddaughters

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

Message last night to see Mark Sprot¹. Message also to Faldonside + Newarkburn. Motored to Riddell. Clarklands² [sic] road awful. Mark Sprot has sharp attack of Bronchitis + his temp. last night was 102. Then I went down to Faldonside. Joyce + Ralph³ had been eating too much plum pudding. Mrs Dees better. Dees himself rather seedy⁴. After tea went to Oakwood, Newarkburn, Ettrickbank Mill, Beechwood Road + Beattie Johnston⁵, Glebe. Got a final [payment] from Brit. Oils. of £11 13 4⁶. I have got altogether something like 8/2d in the £. David⁷ was at Bowhill seeing Lord William⁸. There was a little rain.

¹ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, living at Middles, Lilliesleaf, 1920

² Clerklands, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NGR NT503,247, Dr Muir is presumably referring to the road that runs up to Clerklands, via Greenhill, from opposite the Braw Yett on the A7

³ Edith Joyce Dees, later Beath (1908-1995) and Ralph Andrew Irwin Dees (1913-1988), two of the children of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson

⁴ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948) and Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer

⁵ Not identified

⁶ In December 1914 Dr Muir noted “Got a very disagreeable surprise in the form of a notice from the Liquidator of Brit Oil Producers that I may have to pay up the last of my share £100.” The unravelling of the finances of the British Isles Oil Producers Ltd took several years but Dr Muir noted an interim dividend of 6/- in the pound, on his investment of £200, in 1915 and another payment in 1916

⁷ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁸ Lord William Walter Montagu Douglas Scott (1896-1958), son of John Charles Montagu Douglas Scott, 7th Duke of Buccleuch and Lady Margaret Alice Bridgeman

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

Went to Edin. today to see Molly Bullough¹. She met me at the station + drove me round by Blackford Hill. After lunch she motored me to call for Robertson², Tipperlinn House, Dora + Jean³. Was much amused with Dora’s friends. Do. was going to the dentist + we drove her there. Was introduced to Pike⁴ + was not prepossessed by his appearance at all but made the best of it. Jean looked well. Then we had tea at the Picture Ho. + saw the films. I came out by the 6 train. I thought Molly decidedly better mentally. She has become very stout. Miss Forsyth says she is far from right. I prescribed “Metona” + Casc. Evac.⁵ It was a lovely sunny morning but foggy in town.

¹ Marian Chambers H ‘Molly’ Bullough née Spittal (1865-1921), daughter of Charles Grey Spittal, Sheriff Substitute for Roxburgh and one of Dr Muir’s friends, is referred to as being under some sort of care in Edinburgh a number of times in 1915, early 1916 and more recently on 29 April 1918 and 2 June 1919; her husband William had died in 1913

² George Matthew Robertson (1864-1932), M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.P.ED. Physician-Superintendent of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Mental and Nervous Disorders, and Professor of Psychiatry in the University of Edinburgh; his address was Tipperlinn House, Morningside Place, Edinburgh

³ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter and Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁴ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), theatrical agent, married (much to Dr Muir’s disapproval) Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir in 1920 at Newington, Edinburgh

⁵ Assume Casc. or Cascara Evac. a mild laxative from the plant Rhamnus purshiana marketed by Parke, Davis & Co., now part of Pfizer

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

Another dry, sharpish day: no frost + little wind: roads magnificent. Started at 9.30 + cycled to Oakwood (Mr Linton¹ rather better) + back via Yarrow Terrace to Bridge Street, down riverside via Shawburn toll² + on to Faldonside, where I found Mrs D. much better³ but she had no recollection of my visit last night, nor of my giving her a hypo. Came back by Mavisbank. Saw a few town cases + went to evening service. Jack, Nancy + Barb⁴ came to supper. Jack goes to London tonight. Wrote J Woodger + Miss Findlay who is coming who is coming to be with Mrs Dees.

¹ Assume Simon Linton (1836–1921), farmer, of Oakwood, Selkirk

² Shawburn Toll was immediately west of where (what is now) the A7 crossed the Shawburn, see Ordnance Survey 25 inch Selkirkshire Sheet XII.1, published 1860

³ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson who had collapsed the day before, at her daughter Phyllis Dees’ funeral

⁴ John ‘Jack’ Roberts and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and their daughter Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts

⁵ Not identified

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