A pretty sunny day but wind chilly W. to N.W. Started at 9 + motored to Sundhope (W Barrie [?] + abscess discharging) over Swire to Fauldshope. Richie Ritchie¹, Glebe Terrace, Mellalieu², then Barnes, Curror Street. In house all afternoon. Picked corns etc. Went to evening service with Jean + Dora [Muir]; a framed scroll of men belonging to the Church who were killed in the War was dedicated. Rang up Thomson about Mellalieu’s kid. Wrote Lady Napier giving details of account¹. Dav. [Graham, co-partner] looked in late on return from Lilliesleaf.

¹ See diary entry for 8 May 1920

² To see the seriously ill Dorothy Mary, born 6 November 1919 at Roseneuk, Selkirk, daughter of William Norman Mellalieu, music teacher and organist, and his wife Judith Hardwick

³ See also diary entry for 12 May 1920

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

Some heavy rain at darkening.

Gave Nessy Barnes¹, Curror Street, chlor[oform] + extracted 10 teeth. Dora [Muir] assisted me. Message to Sundhope for Willie Barrie² + just when I starting got another for old Mr Wilson³, Fauldshope. Went there first + over the Swire⁴ to Sundhope. Felt the Swire very stiff + had to walk a good bit of it. At Sundhope Willie had a ischial⁵ abscess which I opened freely. Got tea from Betty⁶. All the rest were at Yarrow Cottage where Baptie was selling off by auction⁷. Came back to Black Andro Cottage + Forest Road. Found messages to Ritchie⁸, Glebe Terrace: Mrs Murray, Forest Road (lunacy case) + Mitchell, Wellwood. Had a pretty full day + cycled 27.5 miles. At 10 had to go down to Mauldsheugh, Norah⁹ having been bitten by one of her dogs.

¹ Edward Barnes was at 20a Curror Street, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]

² Assume William Elliot Turnbull Barrie (1895-), son of Walter Barrie and Elizabeth Barrie nee Elliot, married 1890, Edinburgh; they were all at Sundhope, Yarrow, in the 1911 Census

³ James Wilson, retired farmer, Fauldshope, see diary entry for 12 May 1920

⁴ The Swire is the high pass between Kirkhope, just west of Ettrickbridge, and Yarrow, reaching about 360m near Witchie Knowe and with a height gain from Selkirk of about 285m

⁵ An expert reader advises that the correct reading of this is “ischial abscess (see ischial tuberosity), namely an abscess on his bottom.” He goes on to say “There is also an occupational disease ‘weaver’s bottom’ caused by repeated stress to the ischial bursa through operating a hand-loom’s foot lever.”

⁶ Assume Elizabeth Lorna Barrie (1892-), daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Barrie and sister of William E T Barrie footnoted above; they were all at Sundhope, Yarrow, in the 1911 Census

⁷ This was the clearance of Thomas Baptie’s deceased mother’s house, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 6 May 1920 diary

⁸ Adam Ritchie was at The Glebe, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll] but no matches were found for Glebe Terrace

⁹ Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971), wife of Dr David Charteris Graham, Dr Muir’s co-partner

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

Message to Jas. Cleghorn, Backrow, with a septic corn. Cycled to Glebe, Forest Road, Bannerfield (Frank out), Fairnilee Cottages + Faldonside. It was a fine day with a strong W. wind. In the afternoon I walked across to Bannerfield + again found Frank out. He leaves tomorrow for Findhorn to hunt for flints in the Culbin Sands. His wound is quite healed. I had a big crowd in at night which kept us till 7.30. We had Mrs MacIntosh + Boylan to dinner. Mrs Mc. sent on a bottle of port for the occasion. Boylan told me he was really Viscount Roscommon!

¹ James Cleghorn, joiner, aged 57, was at 11 Backrow with his wife Janet; they were born at Ashkirk and Selkirk respectively and they had married at Heatherlie Manse in August 1908

² Francis Smithson ‘Frank’ Roberts (1864-1947), manufacturer, was the proprietor at Bannerfield [1920 Valuation Roll]

³ Culbin Sands, Dyke And Moy Parish, Morayshire is famous for its finds of arrowheads and other worked flints

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)

⁵ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawmount, Selkirk; this is probably a piece of Boylan’s usual egotism, the Dillon family were the Earls of Roscommon but the title fell dormant in 1850

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

Left Duns at 9.28. Millar¹ came to the station with me. It was rather a nice morning but roads wet. Had a wait to St Boswells + at Galashiels. Got home at 12. Baptie met me + carried up my bag. At Duns when I went to get my ticket I found I had lost 2 10/- [shilling] notes. I must have pawe² pulled them out of my pocket yesterday when fumbling for my ticket. I did nothing but call to see the baby Dodds, Hill Street whom I vaccinated last week. Baptie went to Yarrow Cottage at night. He is selling off his furniture on Saturday³.

¹ James Millar, town clerk of Duns (see previous day’s entry)

² The Editor is reasonably confident of the transcription here in which case the most likely word is one meaning “A slight movement, a feeble gesture or motion, a tiny pulsation or stirring”, recorded in Selkirkshire and Roxburghshire and used by Sir Walter Scott so very possibly known to Dr Muir – “PAW, n.1, v. Also pauw (Slk. 1825 Jam.); pa (Sc. 1802 Scott Ministrelsy II. 81); pjaw, pja(a) (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.), pyaa. See also Pyauve.” [Dictionar o the Scots Leid]

³ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir was apparently disposing of the contents of his mother’s home after Jane Baptie, widow of William Baptie, shepherd, had died 23 August 1919, aged 85, at her home, Yarrow Cottage, Yarrow; Thomas Baptie lived at 13 Beechbank Cottages, Selkirk where he owned four properties, the other three tenanted [1926 Valuation Roll]

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

A very disappointing change to rain. I had intended cycling to Duns. Walked to Ettrickhaugh Road, Bannerfield + Curror Street. Left by the 2.40 + got to Duns at 5.2. Was met at the station by Mrs Frier Robson¹ + Lilly Adams² + taken to the house of James Miller³, Town Clerk, son of Mr Miller, formerly teacher here [Selkirk]. Mrs Cowell⁴ (an Oswald + niece of Mrs Crawford) was there + we had tea. Miller was in Edinburgh. The concert in aid of Roy. Infrmy. [Royal Infirmary] was in Volunteer Hall. Recited ‘The Locum’⁵, ‘Idealist’⁶, ‘Pill’⁷ + ‘Sergt Henderson’⁸. The singing was pretty good + a party gave ‘Her Rest Cure’⁹. Lilly Adams being one of the nurses. Miller came in the middle of this performance. Spoke to William Campbell. Had supper at Miller’s + a crack about old Selkirk.

¹ Lizzie Blanche Fenton, wife of William Frier Robson of Duns, they had married at Edinburgh in 1888

² Not identified

³ James Millar (1861-1935), solicitor and town clerk of Duns, son of James Millar (c.1862-), schoolmaster, and Isabella Kirkwood Millar née Harbottle (his death record states Tullis), married 1859, Dunfermline Burgh; James Millar senior was teacher at the Burgh School, Selkirk – though his children were born at Largo, Fife when he was previously a teacher at Lundin Mill School, Largo

⁴ Mary Oswald (c.1879-), daughter of James Oswald and Margaret Crawford had married Huntly Gordon H Cowell (1877-1971), dental surgeon, at Morningside, 1904; her husband was based at Montrose [1920 Valuation Roll] so presumably Mary was visiting

⁵ Not identified

⁶ ‘The Idealist’ by R W Service (“Oh you who have daring deeds to tell! | And you who have felt Ambition’s spell!”)

⁷ ‘Pill & Bottle’ is unidentified but had been a regular item in Dr Muir’s recital repertoire since at least 1916

⁸ Not identified

⁹ This is not the first time ‘The Rest Cure’ (a one act play by Gertrude E Jennings (1877-1957), actress and playwright, published London, Sidgwick & Jackson, 1914) had been performed in Selkirk because Dr Muir reports a performance on 2 January 1915 at a Café chantant in aid of the funds of the Wilder House Hospital; in the Southern Reporter it is called ‘The Rest Cure’ but the Editor is confident that this is not what Dr Muir has written here

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

The gale has subsided: glass rose rapidly: plenty sunshine: roads dried: still cold. N.W. [wind]. Cycled to Tower Street, Heatherlie, Kilncroft, Bannerfield, Curror Street [and] Forest Road. Put some money to account of self + M & G [Muir and Graham co-partnery]. Gave Jean¹ £13 to make up for what she dropped on the sale of her £100 of War Bonds. Dav. [Graham] + me went over his County cards + adjusted mileage. He also talked over arrangements for Viewfield². Saw Currie³ before dinner, doing well. Dora [Muir] called for Boylan⁴ + asked him to dinner on Friday.

¹ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, opening a cafe in Edinburgh and soon to marry

² The new nursing home and surgery at Viewfield acquired by the Muir and Graham partnership from Alexina Margaret Buist earlier in 1920

³ Robert Currie (about 1857-1923), hosiery manufacturer

⁴ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawmount, Selkirk, though he does not appear to have been around Selkirk for a longish period prior to this

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

S.W. gale all night + all day with blasts of rain. The wind tended to N.W. at night: glass rising rapidly. Motored to Rockville, Faldonside, Sunderland Hall Gardens + Stables [and] Bannerfield. Dav. [Graham, co-partner] intended going to Shorthope to operate on Mrs Anderson for appendicitis but finally decided to bring her down. She came to the Home + I went there at 4.30 + gave Chlor[oform]. Nurse McGilligan¹ from Rockville kindly came down + helped. Got Income Tax Return completed + sent away.

¹ According to Dr Muir’s diary of 27 April Nurse McGilligan at Rockville knew Dora Muir

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

(See Sunday May 2)

It rained heavily all night but kept fair today with a strong S.W. wind which dried the roads wonderfully. However about 7.30 it rained again. Attended Mrs R Beattie, Kirkwynd who had a s.¹ [son] while I left to see Rob^t Currie². Walked down to Pinegrove before morning service when Mrs Mathieson, Gala, preached. Jean Dora [Muir] went in morning, but Jean [Muir] not at all, remarking that she seldom went to church now. I had to see Mellalieu’s baby at 10 p.m. I fear it has Tabes mesenterica³.

¹ Not identified

² Robert Currie (about 1857-1923), hosiery manufacturer, of Rockville, Hillside Terrace had been getting regular visits from Dr Muir at this time

³ Tabes mesenterica is Tuberculosis of the mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymph nodes

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

Brilliant morning + fine up till 2 or 3 when it gradually thickened + began to rain between 6 + 7. I saw a few town cases + started at 1 cycling to Whitmuirhall where I delivered a Communion card to Hall. Went on to Lilliesleaf. Saw only Mrs Hume. Then via Harelaw to view Catshawhill¹ where I took tea under lea of a hedge. It was getting hazy then but I turned back to Hassendean + round by Hassendeanbank + Teviotbank² (a road I had never gone before) to Hassendean + then by Appletree Hall. I got back before the rain came on. Jean [Muir] came at 7.24.

¹ Catshawhill, north west of Minto Kames, grid reference NGR NT542,226

² Dr Muir has taken the minor road which loops close to the River Teviot via Knowetownhead and Hassendean Bank and runs past Teviot Bank which is at grid reference NGR NT551,184

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

David at Dryhope at a confinement last night. I half thought of taking a run to Peebles as I was going the length of Caddonfoot to see Mrs Stenhouse¹ but I was too late getting away + stopped this side of Thorneylee². Saw there in the haugh a motor plough working. Got back to tea at 3. Nancy took Dora³, Mrs Mackintosh⁴ + Mrs Milne⁵ to Innerleithen while she went on to Peebles. It was not so cold today. The wind at first W. went back to N.W. It was sunny all day + no rain to speak of.

¹ Thomas Stenhouse, coachman, was “Inhabitant Occupier not rated” at Allanlea Lodge, Caddonfoot, 1920 Valuation Roll, his wife was Christina and they had been there since at least 1911 [Census]

² Thornielee, between the Nest and Holylee at grid reference NGR NT412,363

³ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁵ Mary Lee Davis Milne née Bowden (c.1873-1948), sometime cook with Scottish Women’s Hospitals, living at Bridgeheugh, Selkirk

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