Fine day. Shower in afternoon. Cycled to Hill Street, Glebe, Forest Road, Ettrickbank Mill, Ashybank + Elmrow. David [Graham] took Helen with him in the car to Lilliesleaf + Dryden¹. Saw a lot of motorcycles (solos + sidecars) + cycle cars taking part in the reliability trial from London to Edinburgh² pass the Wellwood³ gate where Nancy + the boys, Helen + Mrs Mackintosh also came⁴. Jack came back from Hawick with a horse for Nancy⁵.

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper

² Not identified

³ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, home of the Roberts family who were also referred to by Dr Muir as the ‘Wellwooders’

⁴ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), and her children John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)

⁵ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966); mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, husband of Nancy above

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

Very very little doing. Dav. [Dr David Graham, co-partner] attended Mrs Ed. Johnstone (a Douglas) at her confinement at Ashybank¹. He came up early to investigate our bank account: yesterday I drew £350 + then discovered we were overdrawn to the extent of £244. We then found that nearly £60 which we had banked was not included [?] in the book. I went along about it + left it to be investigated. Saw Willie Lindsay who has had a malarial attack. Very warm today. Called for Mrs Jenkins at Philiphaugh Manse. Jack won a race at Hawick.

¹ Jean Forbes Johnston, born 6 June 1919 at Ashybank, Selkirk, daughter of Ebenezer Douglas Johnston, woollen designer and Captain, Canadian Field Artillery, and Jessie Hill Johnston née Douglas, married 6 March 1916, Selkirk

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

Rowan tree blossom fading.

Letter from Jean at last in reply to mine of May 12th

Fair day with strongish N.W. wind. Had next to nothing to do in the forenoon. Cycled to N Port + Forest Mill. In afternoon went to meeting of Div. at Railway Hotel, Newtown. In the absence of Luke I was asked to the Chair. We considered a long remit from the Insur[ance] Committee + had tea. Fair attendance: Campbell, McMillan, Henderson, Somerville, McGregor, Herman (Eyemouth), Robertson (Chirnside), Davidson (Kelso), Menzies, Dixon, Cullen, Henderson (Coldstream), Oliver + self. Cycled down. D. [David Graham] was thrice at Ettrick Shaws + had Fraser out.

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

There was heavy rain at 4 a.m + there were pools on the road when we started. James Freer died this morning at 9.30¹. Rose at 5.30 + as it looked wet motored to Ettrick P.O. [Post Office] to see Miss Brunton². Baptie was going off for part of his holidays so I wanted to get back early. Went up in 57 minutes + came back in less. Called at Oakwood for Lilly’s child³. I wasn’t long back till D. [David Graham] was sent for to Ettrick Shaws. After he came back [I] assisted him at 10.30 to remove tonsils from child Davidson, Deloraine. Cycled to Yair + Fairnilea. Helen [Muir] + I dined at Elmpark + returned with a bottle of Port + one of whisky + 2 jars of pickles + a box of Turkish Delight. It was Mrs Mackintosh’s 60th birthday⁴.

¹ James Freer, butcher, aged 24, died 4 June 1919 at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, usual residence 4 Anderson Road, Selkirk, of “General Septicaemia 16 days”, certified by Dr J S Muir M.B.; he was the son of Adam Freer, tailor, and Isabella Freer née Hogg

² Jane Brunton was the postmistress at Ramsaycleuch, Ettrick [Source: Valuation Roll, 1919]

³ See diary entry for 2 June 1919

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), Born Agnes Watson, daughter of daughter of Sir John Watson, 1st Baronet and Agnes Watson née Simpson; she married 1stly, Ebenezer Erskine Harper and 2ndly Andrew Macandrew Mackintosh (d.1917); she was therefore widowed for the second time by 1919

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

A lovely hazy day. N.W. I did not hear thunder but there was some. Cycled to Hospital, Johnstone, Ashybank Terrace [?] + up Forest Road + then at 12 left for Midburn to see Mary Miller. Went via Grundiston, Appletreehall, Hornshole + Ashybank to Hawthornside [Hobkirk] + Midburn [Hobkirk]¹. Mary Miller was out + I returned via Hobkirk, Bedrule, Denholm + Minto = 40.3 [miles] or, including the town work, 42.3. Took my tea behind plantation at Upper Tofts [Cavers]. On the way home it was very black + oppressing in the E. + S. Walked down to Hospital after dinner to see James Freer who looked like sinking.

¹ Ashybank is in the Dunsdale area of Selkirk, adjacent to the Shaw Burn, approximate grid reference NGR NT546,176; and Hawthornside, NT568,119 and Midburn NT568,111, both Hobkirk Parish

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

Sunny day with cool N.E.E. [sic] wind. Quite sharp + clear at night. Cycled to Bank about War Stock which D.C. is trying to read out for me¹. Went on to Oakwoodmill, Oakwood and Fauldshope. At Oakwood saw Lilly’s (Mrs Walt Green, Rawburn) little girl aet 17 mo[nths]². At Fauldshope old Wilson better + able to walk to the garden³. Came back by Hospital Jas. Freer seriously ill, symptons of Septicaemia. Saw him again before dinner. Helen + Nancy cycled to Howford + Ettrick Shaws⁴. Letter from Robertson⁵ asking me to see Mrs Bullough⁶. Letter from Dr Lanch [?], Poole, offering information re Pike. Wrote him + also [?].

¹ See diary entry for 26th May; D C was David Carnegie Alexander aka ‘Carnegie Alexander’ or ‘D.C.A.’ (1856-1928), solicitor

² Lillias Linton Grieve, born 1 January 1918 at Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh but registered at Longformacus, Berwickshire, daughter of William Grieve, farmer, of Rawburn, Duns, and Lillias ‘Lilly’ Grieve née Linton, married 11 April 1916, Manor Parish, Peeblesshire – Lilly was herself the daughter of Simon Linton, farmer (landowner), and Lillias Linton née Fleming and she had married from Oakwood, Selkirk where she met Dr Muir, undoubtedly not for the first time, in 1919

³ Assume William Wilson, farmer, of Fauldshope Bridge [Source: Valuation Roll, Selkirkshire, 1919]

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

⁵ Possibly 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; of Robertson Dr W McAlister, medical superintendent of Bangour Mental Hospital, was to write “The passing of Professor George Robertson removes from our midst one who for years dominated the whole field of Scottish psychiatry” [Source: The British Medical Journal, 9 April 1932, pp. 688-9]

⁶ Molly Bullough née Spittal (about 1866-1921), 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

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

Pleasant + sunny in forenoon but dull + cold after 4. Rain badly wanted. Two small operations at Mauldsheugh + then I cycled along to Hospital + went to morning service. Was at home all the rest of the day. Read in the garden in the bower. David [Graham, co-partner] was at Ettrick Shaws + Dryden. Helen [Muir] + I supped alone.

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

Not so misty this morning but a great heat haze all day. Motored to Forest Road + Sunderland Hall + Hospital where a case of enteric has been sent by Menzies. We had a pic-nic of the V.A.D. to Blackandro [Black Andrew]. We met at the bridge, there were at least 15 cyclist + as many drove in a [shooting] brake. Sheriff Smith was there. The weather was perfect. Miss Beck + Mrs Weir went away earlier in my motor to get the kettle boiled. After tea the most of us walked to Duke Walter’s Cairn². It was a most enjoyable meeting. There were 6 Gala members there viz [?] Tyrell, Connochie, Hall, Sutherland, Shortreed + McLean². I sent Hall + Shortreed home in the Swift.

¹ Duke Walter’s Cairn, “A large cairn on the top of Fauldshope Hill. Erected as inscribed thereon, on 25 November 1827, being the day on which the present Duke of Buccleuch reached his majority, hence the name – it is between 40 and 50 feet high and can be seen at considerable distance.” [Source: Selkirkshire Ordnance Survey Name Books, Selkirkshire volume 10, 1858, OS1/30/10/121]

² The Galashiels members appear to be Edward Tyrell M.D. of Wellwood, Scott Street, Galashiels and Thomas Dixon Connochie, M.R.C.V.S.

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

Dense fog this morning but the sun soon came out + it was a lovely day + not so hot as Wednesday. Tennis green beginning to get brown. Went to Mauldsheugh at 10 for two cases of tonsils. + cycled to Brown & Allan¹ + Sunderland Hall. Wattie very well. Geo. McGill died just before I called². On way back I stopped at Lindean Churchyard + had a smoke. In afternoon made out some accounts which had been left over in April. D [David Graham] was at Ravensheugh, Philipburn and Bridgeheugh.

¹ Assume Riverside Mill, Selkirk, originally known as Dunsdale Mill and owned at one time by Brown & Allan but according to the RCAHMS owned by Laidlaw and Fairgrieve from 1915 [Source: Canmore https://canmore.org.uk/site/177037/selkirk-dunsdale-road-riverside-mills accessed 26 May 2019]

² George McGill, of Sunderland Hall stables, shepherd and widower of Catherine Scott, died 30 May 1919, aged 79, of cardiac hypertrophy, several months, and bronchopneumonia, one month, certified by Dr J S Muir M.B.

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

Had letter from P B Hill of Commercial Hotel, Glenluce saying he can take me in July¹.

Mist this morning through which the sun never penetrated except slightly after 6 p.m. It was therefore much cooler than yesterday but still very pleasant.  Motored to Sunderland Hall where I met Logan Turner at 10.20² + he operated on Wattie’s [?] nose removing last of turbinates. I went on to Fairnilee. Saw some town cases. Cycled to Sunderland Hall in evening. David [Graham] came up + had a talk about Viewfield as a nursing Home [sic]. Helen [Muir] was spring cleaning her room which she had to do without Bella’s assistance as Bella [Paulin, housekeeper] had a bilious attack. David was at Sundhope at night.

¹ Glenluce, 20 Main Street, Judge’s Keep Hotel, also known as Commercial Hotel (Canmore ID 61189, grid reference NGR NX19756,57353)

² Arthur Logan Turner (1865-1939), Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary and at Deaconess Hospital in Edinburgh and lecturer in Diseases of the Larynx, Ear and Nose at Edinburgh University; a specialist in in Octology, Laryngology, and Rhinology and in particular the anatomy of the sinuses; for information on turbinates see ‘Logan Turner’s Diseases of the Nose, Throat and Ear’, 1st edition, 1924 and 10th edition, edited by A G D Maran, 1988

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