A very mild day : calm + bright with slight W. wind. Saw some town cases cycling. Went to meeting of S.E.C. Division at Newtown¹ : 20 present. McWhan² read a very well put-together minute of last meeting in April. The question of capitation came up but no one almost [sic] spoke but it was carried unanimously that we support the [word deleted] Insurance Action Committee.³ Had tea. Cycled down via Bowden in 45 minutes + returned via Whitelee in 60.⁴

¹ This refers to the Edinburgh Branch South Easter Counties Division of the British Medical Association (B.M.A.) held at Newtown St Boswells on 17 October. It was resolved to “wait on” Sir Thomas Henderson M.P. to “bring to his notice the views of the Panel Committees regarding practitioners’ remuneration”.

At the same meeting Dr Matthew James Oliver (1863-1951) was presented with a “beautiful rose bowl” in recognition of his services as secretary to the Division from 1913 to 1923 [“Meetings Of Branches And Divisions.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3278, 1923, pp. 205–205. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20434677. Accessed 12 Nov. 2023.]

² Andrew Alexander McWhan (1881-1952), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., medical practitioner, School Medical Officer and Medical Officer of Health for Berwickshire.

³ In 1923 proposed cuts in medical practitioners’ capitation allowances were causing a good deal of resentment.

⁴ Dr Muir went out on the road one normally uses from Selkirk to Newtown, taking the Selkirk – St Boswells road and turning off to Bowden village at the Bowden Stand Dam Toll Post at grid reference NGR NT551,297, but he returned via a minor road south of the Bowden Burn through Whitelee, NT568,308, and perhaps Maxpoffle too, at NT558,304, eventually hitting the St Boswells – Selkirk road at some point east of the Stand Dam Toll Post junction.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Fine morning : wet afternoon N. + S.W. Calm : glass rising : saw some 3 or 4 cases walking : Wrote letter to Barbara Peddie¹ in answer to her enquiry as to the most suitable place for portrait of her Grandfather Thomas Anderson.² Dined at Shawpark³ with Mrs Mack⁴ + Mrs Simpson⁵ + after dinner had to go down to Ettrick Mill Cottages to see Robert Ballantyne.⁶ Harrietson [sic] Murray⁷ to have his ear syringed. Took Pollok⁸ back his book ‘How to be Useful & Happy from 60-90’.⁹

¹ Barbara Smith Peddie (about 1848-1946), daughter of Clara Elizabeth Sibbald Peddie née Anderson (about 1822-1903) and granddaughter of Thomas Anderson (about 1787-1850), surgeon, and Margaret Anderson née Scott. In 1921 she was recorded living at Blair Atholl with her sister Margaret Scott Peddie (about 1845-1924). Margaret died in 1924 in Lincolnshire (but was still recorded as of “Ard Coille, Blair Atholl) and at some time thereafter Barbara appears to have moved to Sussex. It is conceivable that this move is what prompted thoughts as to the final destination of her grandfather’s portrait. Incidentally Barbara was an artist herself and on 31 May 1917 Dr Muir had noted “Tom Anderson gave me a nice painting of Ferniehirst Castle by Barbara Peddie & a Steeple Chase picture.”

² The Editor has been able to identify neither the picture, nor its ultimate destination.

³ Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), a retired civil engineer.

⁴ Dr Muir’s generous friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.

⁵ Margaret ‘Maggie’ Simpson née Watson (1857-1939), sister of Mrs Agnes Mackintosh née Watson.

⁶ Robert Ballantyne cannot readily be identified.

⁷ Assume Harry James Murray (1910-), son of John Murray and Helen Murray née Edwards, living at 17 Goslaw Green, Selkirk, in 1921.

⁸ John Pollok (1858-1938), sometime Town Clerk, Procurator Fiscal, and Clerk to the Property & Income Tax Commissioners.

⁹ Smith, Arthur Lapthorn, ‘How to be useful and happy from sixty to ninety’, London, 1922.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

There was no frost last night + the day was dull + cold + wet after 1 or 2 it rained or drizzled. I had thought of a run somewhere but the weather outlook was discouraging. Made 7 town calls cycling + that was all + called for Nancy.¹ A letter from Mrs Allen² [?] came to Helen³ + I forwarded it. Spent the afternoon at the Record cards + finished [the letter] O. Pulled some lovely roses in garden + with Montbretia + fuschias made up a dish for diningroom.

¹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, who had recently been diagnosed with Exophthalmic goitre or Graves Disease.

² Conceivably Catherine Ellen Allen née Green, mother of Peter Muir Spurgeon Allen (1914-2005), the boy who had stayed with the Muirs at Selkirk in 1922.

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper, who had been away from Selkirk for a long time since she and Dr Muir travelled south to stay with Muir relations in Surrey on 16 July 1923.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Heavy hoar frost followed by a really fine day. At Viewfield David had 2 cases of tuberculous cervical glands + I also got him to examine Robert Ballantyne, Eastfield, but he didn’t find anything. Went to morning service when the Church was re-opened after being cleaned + decorated + anniversary services held. Mr Dawson, Edinburgh, preached. Collection in forenoon £101. I didn’t like the painting [?]. Lunched at Philiphaugh with Sam + Mrs S. Made out an itinerary for him for Paxton [?]. Wrote Helen.

¹ Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.

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

³ Robert Ballantyne (1905-), born Ashkirk, son of Arthur Ballantyne and Violet Ballantyne née Wilson. The family lived at Eastfield, Bowden, just south of the Selkirk – St Boswells road [1921 Census] and on 13 August 1923 Mrs Ballantyne and Robert had presented themselves at evening consultation in some sort of difficulty.

⁴ The Lawson Memorial Church, Selkirk, had just been redecorated.

⁵ The Reverend Edwin Collas Dawson (1849-1925), Episcopal clergyman, M.A. (Oxon), (1849-1925), who was Curate of Hale, 1873-5, and thereafter at St Thomas Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, and was the author of many books including ‘James Hannington, D.D., F.L.S., F.R.G.S., first bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa : a history of his life and work, 1847-1885’, London, 1889 [Bertie, David, Ed., Scottish Episcopal Clergy, 1689-2000]. Married 1875 at Sandgate, Kent, to Lucy Mackinlay Munro Dawson née Wyllie (1855-1917), they had two children Robert Dawson (1877-1940), later a Church of England minister, and Mabel Dawson (1878-1965).

⁶ Samuel Strang ‘Sam’ Steel (1882-1961), of Philiphaugh, M.P. for Ashford, Kent, 1918-1929, and Vere Mabel Steel née Cornwallis.

⁷ As noted before, Dr Muir’s handwriting has deteriorated. If Paxton is the correct reading it is not at all clear why Dr Muir would have to give a member of the local gentry a route to Paxton but perhaps he was offering more than that, a journey around the byways of Berwickshire in his own idiom. One can only hope they fed themselves better.

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper, who had been away from Selkirk for a long time since she and Dr Muir travelled south to stay with Muir relations in Surrey on 16 July 1923.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Although the glass [barometer] was very low there was no rain today. The wind was N. to N.E. Cold. Motored with David¹ to Shielshaugh where he did a circumcision on a child of people Anderson.² Took a plate of Hare soup + cycled to St Boswells to call for Katie Scott + Jim³ the latter having sent me a brace of pheasants + a hare : but they were both [away ?]. I went on over Mertoun Bridge⁴ [illegible] by Bemersyde, Gattonside + Galafoot. Got letter from Helen at last.⁵ She talks of coming home next Thursday.

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

² Robert Anderson, was at Shielshaugh, Selkirk, grid reference NGR NT418,265 [1922 Valuation Roll]. It is therefore conceivable that the family was Robert Anderson, aged 38, his wife Bessie Anderson née Scott, 32, and Robert Scott, one year three months, recorded at Elm Row, Selkirk in the 1921 Census. [1922 Valuation Rokk, VR011700009-/376, Selkirk County, Page 376 of 605].

³ The Scotts are so far unidentified.

⁴ Mertoun Bridge, grid reference NGR NT609,320.

⁵ Dr Muir had been quite unreasonable about the lack of communication from Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), his third daughter and sometime housekeeper, who was 43 at this time and staying with Muir relations in Surrey. He could of course have picked up the telephone.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

I was surprised + indeed anxious not to say a dry at not hearing from Helen.¹ It is about a fortnight since she last wrote. It was forwarded to me at Prestwick. It was wet again this morning with S. wind. Got snap from Ellie Adams² of Beck³, Bartie⁴ + self at Hume Castle Sept. 22^d. Poured off + on all day. I am just about out of work. Everybody is having Graham.⁵ I made 4 visits today + on one of them was on Nancy!⁶ No letter from Helen. Wrote her remonstrating. Got some work done at record cards. Finished [the letter] H.

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper, who had been away from Selkirk for a long time since she and Dr Muir travelled south to stay with Muir relations in Surrey on 16 July 1923.

² Perhaps Mary Oswell F Adams, later Geddes (1890-) of Galashiels who would be of about the right age for a First World War V.A.D.

³ Elizabeth Fyfe Beck (1865-1954), nurse, 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. She returned to Selkirk after the war.

⁴ Jane Hay Bartie (1876-1966), school teacher and sometime member of the Selkirkshire V.A.D. Born Edinburgh and recorded living with her sister Margaret Bartie at Ettrickhaugh House, Selkirk, in the 1921 Census.

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁶ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, who had recently been diagnosed with Exophthalmic goitre or Graves Disease.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

A much better day. Though the pavements were damp there was no rain all day + pretty constant sunshine but the wind sharp. After seeing a few cases I was at Viewfield from 11 till 2 giving Chloroform, first to an old Mrs Robertson from Melrose¹ with an appendix + then to Thomas Tait² (one of the 15 Taits) with for excision of varicose veins. After lunch walked to Curror Street, Dunsdale + up by Broomhill + along the March between there + Shawmount. It was lovely looking down on Ettrick + Tweed. Had meeting of cyclists club in loft [?] where officials + committee were appointed for the year + a com^ttee appointed to arrange for a social of some sort.

¹ Mrs Robertson is unidentified.

² Thomas Tait is so far unidentified.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

The gale had subsided but it rained most of the day with a short fair interval at midday. I saw some cases + then assisted D.¹ in a case of tonsils (Anthony McGuire²) at Viewfield.³ I had intended doing Greenwells⁴ but D. got a message to Yarrow School + was going to do them both when he had to go to Peel to operate on Mrs Muirhead⁵ the youngest daughter so I did Yarrow + crossed the Swire⁶ to Ettrickbridgend to see Mrs + Dav. Mitchell.⁷ This prevented me getting to the Panel Com^ttee meeting at Galashiels to discuss the momentous question of refusing the Government’s offer of 8/6 for capitation fee.⁸

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

² Assume Anthony McGuire (1910-), son of James McGuire and Margaret McGuire née Muldeen, all living at 25 Kirk Wynd, Selkirk, 1921 Census.

³ Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.

⁴ Neither Mrs Scott nor Greenwells can be readily identified (though Greenwells appears to be in the area of Yarrow Feus and Catslack Knowe) but there was a call to attend there on 9 October 1923.

⁵ Kathleen Victoria Muirhead née Ovens (1897-), daughter of William Roberts Ovens and Margaret Ovens née Beattie, married 27 December 1877 at Edinburgh. Kathleen Ovens was born 27 December 1897 at Burnhouse, Stow. She married 1919 at St Giles Church Edinburgh, James Muirhead, Captain, The Seaforth Highlanders.

⁶ The Swire which runs through grid reference NGR NT369,259, connects Kirkhope and Yarrow.

⁷ It is not at all clear who is who but David Mitchell (1897-), was recorded at Kirkhope in the 1921 Census, aged 23, a joiner, born Kirkhope, He was the son of Thomas Mitchell, joiner, and Jane Ross Mitchell née Little, married 1894 at Pettinain, South Lanarkshire.

⁸ This discussion was part of the ongoing budget negotiations between the Government and the British Medical Association.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

A hurricane from W. raged all day with alternating showers + shine. Message to Mrs Borthwick¹, Hill Street, which I did + also Curror Street, Gib. + Lum.², Mill Street + called for Nancy³ at 12.41. ‘Phone from Yarrow to see Mrs Scott, Greenwells.⁴ Motored there + called also for Adam Brunton.⁵ Was not out after lunch. Banked some money for firm + also for self. Was writing Dora when a letter arrived from her enclosing a photo of the matron + nurses.⁶

¹ Mary Anne Morgan Borthwick née Lowden (1863-1927), wife of Peter Borthwick, shepherd. Born St Vigeans, Angus she had married 25 July 1895 at Dundee and they and their family lived at Hill Street, Selkirk.

² Gibson & Lumgair, St Mary’s Mill, Level Crossing Road, Selkirk.

³ Dr Muir’s second daughter, Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) had recently been diagnosed with Exophthalmic goitre or Graves Disease.

⁴ Mrs Scott is so far unidentified.

⁵ The ‘best guess’ is Adam Brunton of Catslackburn, Yarrow who was tenant of a cottage owned by Yarrow Parish Council.

⁶ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, was living and working in Egypt.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

A dry, cold day : good harvest [?] day. Some sun in forenoon but dull after. N.W. [wind]. There was This was the October holiday + there was to have been a cycle club run to Crosslee + Tibbies¹ but at 10.30 when I went to the post there was no one at Mungo Park.² I didn’t intend going but cycled to Faldonside to see Ailie’s vaccination³ + then went on via Darnick + Bowden Moor to Eastfield to ask for Robert Ballantyne.⁴ Saw Jack⁵ golfing. Was not out after lunch. Wrote Barbara.⁶

¹ Crosslee, Ettrick, grid reference NGR NT306,185, and Tibbie Shiels, Yarrow, NT241,205.

² At the Mungo Park Memorial at the junction of High Street and Back Row, Selkirk.

³ Dr Muir had vaccinated Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson or Boyd-Wilson, later Milne (1890-1955), at Faldonside on 1 October 1923.

⁴ Robert Ballantyne (1905-), born Ashkirk, son of Arthur Ballantyne and Violet Ballantyne née Wilson. The family lived at Eastfield, Bowden, just south of the Selkirk – St Boswells road [1921 Census] and on 13 August 1923 Mrs Ballantyne and Robert had presented themselves at evening consultation in some sort of difficulty.

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, and Dr Muir’s son-in-law. There may be a hint of disapproval here because Jack’s wife Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, had only very recently been diagnosed with Graves Disease.

⁶ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), daughter of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir. Aged 21 she had left on 4 October 1923 for what turned out to be a new life in New Zealand.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]