Pavements + slates wet this morning but no rain during day to speak of. John Nicolson¹ died last night. Miss Dees’ (Fiff)² temp. keeping steadily about 100^o. Feeling new head + back ache. Discarded all bandages + recommended a cup. Sponged her head + cleaned it. Found her much better at night. Cycled down + when having found my front tyre deflated so ‘Phoned for car + had some dinner with them. Had call from.

¹ John Nicholson (c.1858-1920), woollen mill foreman retired, of 32 High Street, Selkirk, son of James Nicholson, woollen mill worker, and Isabella Nicholson née Armstrong, and widower of Margaret Beattie, died 6 September 1920, aet 62, at Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, of pulmonary tuberculosis 3 months and chronic cystitis 1 month, certified by John S Muir M.B. [Source: death registration 778/60 Selkirk]

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

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

David motored me down to Faldonside. I took him to examine Miss Dees’¹ eyes which he found all right. I had nothing to do till the afternoon when I cycled to Yarrowford to Mrs Reid + then to Faldonside a second time. Miss D. feeling a good deal of pain in her head + back. Boylan² came to supper. H. + D. [Helen and Dora Muir] went to evening service. Had call from Nan Paton³ (now Mrs Crichton) + her husband, a doctor at Redhill + a nephew of Crichton Smith⁴, Kelso.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawmount, Selkirk

³ Isabel Eugene ‘Nan’ Crichton née Paton (1892-1935) and Crawford Smith Crichton (1882-1946), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and medical officer, sometime R.A.M.C. [Source: Statutory BMDs (Scotland), marriages Jun Quarter 1918, Isabel E Paton and Crawford S Crichton, Reigate 2a 439 and https://www.bmj.com/content/2/4468/280.2%5D

⁴ Assume Thomas D Crichton Smith (c.1856-1931), law agent, of Robson & Smith, Kelso, until 1887 a copartnery, after which Smith continued on his own account under the same business name [Source: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/9887/page/1049/data.pdf%5D

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

Some rain in the morning + a gale first S.W. then N.W. + cold. Motored to Faldonside making some calls on the way. Miss Dees¹ had restless night + temp. not as low as usual. Swelling much less. Took all the wadding off her head. In the evening she was feeling better: had neither headache nor backache but slight squint. Gave her Proxx Bromide to ʒ¹/₁ casc evac.² Rob Currie³, Byethorn broke his left fibula. Gave him gas while David [Graham] put it up. H. + D.⁴ were at Shawpark helping Boylan⁵ to entertain the children of Bishop of Barrow⁶ who is taking McCall’s⁷ place.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² It is not clear what the XX refers to, but an ever-helpful follower has pointed out that the ʒ symbol represents one dram (or drachm) and the following symbol is for one tablet. So, it appears he gave her 1 dram of potassium bromide (as a sedative) in the form of one tablet. 1.77 grams – Casc. or Cascara Evac. is a mild laxative from the plant Rhamnus purshiana marketed by Parke, Davis & Co., now part of Pfizer

³ Robert Currie (c.1875-1934), hosiery manufacturer, son of Robert Currie (about 1857-1923), woollen hosiery manufacturer, and Mary Murray; married 1stly, 1898, Maggie Brown (died 1899) and, 2ndly, 1906, Julia Johnston Lindsay (died 1961). He lived at Byethorn, Selkirk [where the Selkirk High School is today]

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s third and youngest daughters respectively

⁵ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawmount, Selkirk

⁶ The Bishop of Barrow, 1909-1926, was the Right Reverend Campbell West Watson (1877-1953), who held it in plurality with a Residentiary Canonry at Carlisle Cathedral until 1921, then with the Rectory of Aldingham, near Ulverston, Cumbria, he later became Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand; nowhere is he referred to as being at Selkirk and from Alumni Cantabrigienses it is quite clear that he never held a living in Scotland, nor does it record that he had children, whereas Mr McCall had lost his wife Mabel Lovat Armstrong in 1917 and had children Mabel Mona (1911-), John Grice Armstrong (1913-), Alan George (1914-) and Arthur James (1916-)

⁷ Alumni Cantabrigienses notes that James George McCall, rector of St John’s Episcopal Church 1910-1921, moved to Jordanhill, Glasgow in 1921

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

A dull day but calm + quite pleasant. Was twice at Faldonside and thought Miss D.¹ rather better. Kept on the dry pad, the swelling being less. Helen² had written to say she would be at Gala at 6.16 + I planned motoring to Faldonside + sending the car to meet her but she unexpectedly arrived at 4 having caught the 1.13 at Carlisle. She was looking very well + sun burned.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² 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]

Weather deteriorating: glass fallen + falling. Wind S. Rained heavily in afternoon + slightly in morning. Found Miss Dees¹ fairly well but with headache which was relieved after I opened the wound + allowed blood to escape. Took Dav. [Graham] down at night + acting on his advice put on a dry pad. Her temp. during last night went up to 104.4. + when we were there it was 100. We had a glass of port + a smoke. I had to go to Yarrowford to certify And. Hobkirk² for the poorhouse + W Essenside to see Walt. Currie³ formerly at Boos Mill⁴. I motored over 37 miles.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² Andrew Hobkirk (c.1847-1920), retired shepherd, son of William Hobkirk, shepherd, and Mary Laidlaw, died at Galashiels but he was at Yarrow for many years e.g. at Catslacknowe and Crosscleuch, Yarrow, 1887-88 Valuation Roll

³ Walter Currie, ploughman, was “Tenant Occupier not rated” of a house at Wester Essenside, Ashkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]

⁴ Bowismiln, Lilliesleaf, on the Ale Water (grid reference NGR NT507234) and part of the Riddell estate

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

There was no lifting of the dull grey curtain that shut out the sun today + it was decidedly cold with some drizzle in the forenoon. Met Scott Skirving¹ again at Faldonside. Miss Dees’² condition was better + her temp. almost normal. Skirving did a lumbar puncture without anaesthesia. At night to my regret her temp. was up to 103 again. I motored both times. Was feeling unaccountably fagged. David operated on Mrs Colledge³ from Whitchester, for an abdominal tumour which had turned out to be malignant, + little Isa Linton⁴, Ettrick Road for appendicitis. I gave chlor[oform].

¹ Archibald Adam Scott Skirving (1869-1930), M.B., C.M., lecturer in Clinical Surgery, Royal Edinburgh Infirmary

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

³ This appears to be Jessie Colledge née Scott (c.1867-1920); she had married Joshua Alberto Colledge (1866-1942) at Selkirk in 1901 and he was Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Whitchester, Longformacus, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁴ The most likely identity is Isabella Cuthill ‘Isa’ Linton (1912-), daughter of George Linton, mason, and Mary Linton née Dixon, who are at Ettrick Road, 1920 Valuation Roll (not too far from where Isabella was born at Green Square, a terrace where Mill Street meets The Green and no longer there) but there are two Isabella Lintons born a year apart at Selkirk so it is not possible to assert this identification with absolute confidence

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

Shorter dull period this morning + a lovely sunny day. Sharp at night + moonlight. Cycled to Mrs Dobson¹, Forest Road + then to Faldonside where I found Miss Dees² less well. Temp. 103⁰. Bleeding from the incision Scott Skirving³ made. Went down again with D. [David Graham] at 5. + put on dry pad with pressure to stop venous bleeding + gave a hypo of heroin. Dined at Faldonside. Found patient better T.99.8 + P.88. Boyack⁴ left + Dora went to Edinburgh with her + interviewed the Webbs⁵. Certified a lunatic Mrs Easton⁶ + Linglie Cottages.

¹ Helen Dobson née Hope (c.1859-1920), widow of George Dobson, woollen designer, living at Kirkwood, Forest Road, Selkirk, 1920

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

³ Archibald Adam Scott Skirving (1869-1930), M.B., C.M., lecturer in Clinical Surgery, Royal Edinburgh Infirmary

⁴ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

⁵ On 10 September Dora went to work for the Webb family, unmarried brothers and sisters of “Independent Means” at 11 Priestfield Road, Newington, Edinburgh

⁶ William Easton, woolsorter, was at Sunnybank Cottage, Linglie Road, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

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

Curious similarity in weather. Dull, cloudy morning: bright afternoon + dull evening. Wind E. very slight. Cycled to Faldonside. Miss Dees¹ better: good night 4 h [hours] sleep. Temp. 99. Went on via Bowden Moor to Prieston. Did Faldonside again before dinner. Dora + Boyack² at Wellwood for tea. Bella³ in bed with asthma. David [Graham] had to go to Yarrowford at night to Mrs Reid + took D. + B. [Dora Muir and Miss Boyack] with him.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

³ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

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

Dull calm morning again + a little sunshine towards evening. Motored to Faldonside via Forest Road. Found Miss Dees¹ less well. Temp. 102.2 [and] restless night + more headache: pain in spine. Asked for Skirving² to come out again. Along with D. [David Graham] met him at 5 when we opened the swelling on her head which proved to be a haematoma. Her temp. had fallen so I had given 5 grs Pyramidon³. Had tea at Faldonside. Saw Jane Johnstone⁴, Mrs Dobson⁵ + John Nicolson⁶ after supper. Dora + Boyack⁷ went to evening service.

¹ Phyllis Mary Dees (1899-1920), had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920, daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² Archibald Adam Scott Skirving (1869-1930), M.B., C.M., lecturer in Clinical Surgery, Royal Edinburgh Infirmary

³ Pyramidon was the name under which Hoechst AG sold the anti-fever medicine Aminophenazone from 1897, though Burroughs Wellcome was manufacturing between 1915-1940 see image here

⁴ Assume Jane Pringle Johnstone (1868-1920), confectioner, of 14 West Port, Selkirk; she was the daughter of Alexander Johnstone, tailor and clothier, and Jane Johnstone nee Armstrong and died on 31 August 1920

⁵ Helen Dobson née Hope (c.1859-1920), widow of George Dobson, woollen designer, living at Kirkwood, Forest Road, Selkirk, 1920

⁶ John Nicholson, mill foreman, at 32 High Street, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁷ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

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

Was also at High Faldonside seeing Dawn¹.

Dull morning + forenoon. Some sunshine in afternoon + dull at night. Wind back to N.E. Very heavy dew. Cycled to The Green, Tweed², Linglie³ + Brown + Allan’s Mills⁴ + Faldonside. Miss Dees’⁵ condition favourable + more so at night when her pulse was 86 + T. [temperature] 99.6 + haemorrhage from the ears had ceased. In afternoon walked to Ladylands Toll⁶, Racecourse⁷ + Smedheugh⁸ + took Boyack⁹. Dora had a call from Mrs D. Brown (née Donald¹⁰).

¹ Assume Dawn Gordon Belle Brack Boyd Wilson, later Boyd Wilson Milne (1894-1980)

² Assume Gardiner’s Tweed Mill, Canmore ID 145583, otherwise known as Tweed Mills

³ Linglie Mill, Level Crossing Road, Canmore ID 54251

⁴ Brown & Allan were at Riverside Mills, Dunsdale Road

⁵ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920) had suffered a head injury in a car accident 24 August 1920; she was the daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

⁶ Ladylands Toll, grid reference NGR NT475,279, not to be confused with Whitmuirhall Toll NT497,279 also known as Jovial Jenny’s – both tolls are visible on Ordnance Survey Six Inch Roxburghshire Sheet XIII, published 1863

⁷ Selkirk Common, Gala Rig, Race Course, Canmore ID 302602, grid reference NT496,275

⁸ Smedheugh, Selkirk, grid reference NT489,279

⁹ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

¹⁰ Not identified

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