Rose at 5 breakfasted + left at 7.12 for Crook Cottage.¹ Rode there without a dismount (except to stop at the door of Tushielaw Inn² to pay for a hire on 1^st) in 2 h. 2 m. Came back (allowing for a stop to speak to Wm Johnston at Ettrickhall³ + another at Ettrick…[?] P.O.) in 1 h 53 m. Dull day with a cold N.E. wind which got stronger + colder in the afternoon. There was little or no sunshine. Came back by Haining + Castle Street. Had only 2 calls to make in afternoon. As I had to send medicine to Bewlie⁴, Baptie⁵ drove there + took Helen⁶, Nurse Taylor⁷ + Nancy.⁸ Mrs Johnstone, Crook Cottage, much better : much thinner : am sending her Bynin emulsion [see below] + ercosotal.⁹

¹ Dr Muir had been attending Mary Johnstone née Hewitson (about 1853-1904), wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage.

² The Tushielaw Inn, Kirkhope grid reference NGR NT30370,17810, visible on Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XVIII.NW, published 1900.

³ Nobody named William Johnstone appears to be linked at this time with Ettrickhall, Ettrick, grid reference NGR NT30370,17810, visible on Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XVII.SE, published 1900.

⁴ Dr Muir recorded visiting Bewlie, Lilliesleaf, on 17 April 1904 but did not name his patient.

⁵ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

⁶ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁷ Nurse Taylor is so far unidentified.

⁸ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

⁹ Ercosotal is so far unidentified. It looks like a proprietary name and is mentioned fleetingly in Spanish sources being taken with lime.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Another lovely warm day but more hazy than yesterday. Was not any further than Haining + Ettrickbank. At Hospital, where there are at present 12 cases, I removed Walt. Scott’s¹ tonsils. Mrs Jas. Scott², Tait’s Hill, very poorly : had to see her a second time. Letter from Patrick³

¹ There were several boys and young men in Selkirk named Walter Scott at this time.

² Mrs Scott is so far unidentified.

³ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Sharp hoar frost

Wind S.S.E. Lovely day + warm. Both invalids improving.¹ Cycled round town, Hospital, Dunsdale, Forest Road + Haining in forenoon + after lunch to Yarrow Manse, Yarrowfeus, Ladhope + Old Broadmeadows. Had to go a second time to Haining before dinner where in addition to Siegfried, Ronald + Eleanor, the Prof.² was seized with inflammatory diarrhoea + had a temp. of 104. Jenkins³ gave me a lovely bunch of daffodils for Jean from his own garden.

¹ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, suffering from pneumonia at this time, and presumably Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper, suffering with a sprained ankle.

² Harry Siegfried Seth Pringle Pattison (1894-1977), John Ronald Seth Pringle Pattison (1897-1916), and Elinor Elizabeth Seth Pringle Pattison (1892-1972), some of the children of Professor Andrew Seth Pringle Pattison, formerly Seth, Scottish philosopher, and his wife Eva Pringle Pattison née Stropp. The family lived at The Haining, Selkirk.

³ Jenkins is presumably Hugh Jenkins (about 1860-1934), domestic butler, who lived at Yarrow Road, Old Broadmeadows with his wife Mary Louisa Jenkins née Way (about 1858-1934). They had married in 1895 at Selkirk.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Mousey¹ quite lame with her sprained ankle. Jean² still improving. Meikle³ called in afternoon + was satisfied with her condition. It was fair today + pleasant with a strongish S.W. wind. Had to go up to Newarkburn to see Mrs Elliot⁴ + called at the school. Just before 11 started + called at Haining, where Jack⁵ met me + went as far as the top of Birkwood Entries. I went on to Sinton Mill, Riddell (where I had lunch + met Dorothy + her husband⁶), + through Lilliesleaf to Bewlie. Went to evening service with Nancy.⁷ Ross⁸ preached from “An Altar to an Unknown God.⁹

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

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, suffering from pneumonia at this time.

³ Robert William Meikle (1870-1962), L.R.C.P. Edinburgh, living at Gowanbrae, Selkirk around 1904 [sources: Medical Register 1903 and Valuation Rolls, 1904] but moved to England between 1908 and early 1911.

⁴ John Elliot, forester, lived at Newarkburn, Selkirk, with his wife Jane Elliot née Dickson. 

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

⁶ Dorothy is presumably a member of the Sprot family but is so far unidentified.

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

⁸ The Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942), Church of Scotland clergyman, who had moved to Selkirk in 1903 and lived at Ettrick Terrace with his wife Elizabeth Elder Ross née Sinclair.

⁹ Acts 17:24.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Was knocked up at 12.10 for Ad. Scott’s wife, Yarrowfeus P.O.¹ Ad. cycled down + said the roads were good so I cycled. Baptie² had a lot of trouble lighting the lamp but I got away at 12.45 + near Broadmeadows Bridge the lamp went out. I had to dismount to cross the bridge it was so dark. Lit my lamp at Broadmeadows Lodge but it went out when I was fixing it³ so I had to ride on without a light as I had used up all my matches. It was intensely dark + rain coming the road was nearly invisible. I had to go very slowly which was fortunate as just at Deuchar brae I suddenly ran into a man, knocked him down and of course fell myself, neither of us were hurt + after apologising I went on, reaching Scott’s at 2.30. Mrs S. had a S. at 2.50⁴ + I left for home about 4.20 in rain but with the wind behind me. Did not go to bed. Drove round town + to Haining + was not out after lunch which I had at 2 till I went up to Stark + Murray’s⁵ + bought an acetylene lamp. Had to go down to Raeburn ? At night + take [?] child of Walt. Tait’s to Hospital.⁶ He + I carried her between us. Nancy⁷ managed to sprain her ankle walking near the Pot Loch.⁸

I was at work from 9.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. There was very little more rain after the thunder plump in the morning + it was mild. Hounds were at Bowhill.

¹ Margaret Scott née Anderson, wife of Adam Scott, blacksmith [see footnote 4].

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

³ The light was hardly on at all to judge from the distance between Broadmeadows Bridge and Broadmeadows Lodge which sits across from Bowhill North Lodge.

⁴ Frank George Scott, born 2 h 50 m 16 April 1904 at Yarrow Post Office, the son of Adam Scott, blacksmith, and Margaret Scott née Anderson. The parents had married 29 January 1892 at Dennet, Deeside, Aberdeenshire.

⁵ Stark & Murray, cycle mechanics and retailers in Selkirk.

⁶ Walter Tait, forester, was at Raeburn Meadow, Selkirk in 1904. It has not been straightforward to identify children of his. If the unclear word in the text reads ‘grand’ then the search is completely different. The Editor will update this page if things become clearer.

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948).

⁸ Pot Loch, Kirkhope, south of Ettrickshaws Farm, grid reference NT373,185.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Bright + sunny again this morning becoming duller after midday but no rain. Jean¹ had a fairly good night + kept improving all day. I was not out of the town but did a fairly good list walking in forenoon + cycling in afternoon. Made 34 visits including Haining, [and] Whinfield, Forest, Tweed + St Mary’s Mills.² Passed a lot of [?].³ Went to bed at 10.

¹ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, suffering from pneumonia at this time.

² Whinfield Mill on Whinfield Road, Forest Mill, opposite the bottom of Forest Road, Tweed Mills on Dunsdale Road, and St Mary’s Mill on Level Crossing Road.

³ This, presumably a medical condition, is unidentified, suggestions gratefully received.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Bright morning. S.S.E. wind : roads muddy but rideable. Cycled about town + to Haining, Philipburn, Ettrickbank + Abbotsford Road. Ad. Brydon¹ much better. It got duller + began to rain when I was at Gala + gradually developed into a very wet afternoon though mild. After lunch drove to Riddell to see Mrs Sprot.² Jean³ better on the whole but had a bad night coughing. She had a little fish + some ground rice.

¹ Adam Brydon (about 1837-1919), farmer, of 21 Abbotsford Road, Netherbarns, Galashiels, Selkirkshire. His wife Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), had died 9 February 1904, aged 63, of “pneumonia 8 days”. certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c, Selkirk”.

² Assume Charlotte Gertrude Sprot née Cole (1856-1933) who had married Lieutenant-General John Sprot (1830-1907) of Riddell House, Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire, on 24 November 1886 at Steyning, Sussex.

³ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, suffering from pneumonia at this time.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Fine weather gone. Dull morning. Extraordinary darkness at 8 with some thunder + torrential rain which completely spoilt the roads so I had to take to the trap again. In forenoon drove to Hospital + on to Abbotsford Road. Mr B.¹ much better. After lunch drove to Yarrow Manse to see Mrs Borland² who had what must have been an Epileptiform fit³ last Sunday week. Then on to Yarrowfeus + back by Broadmeadows + Old Broadmeadows.⁴ Jean⁵ is better although she had another restless night. She took some chicken soup twice. Message to Haining to see Siegfried⁶ but it was 8.30 before I had finished dinner + could [continues on opposite page] go up. I was at work from 9 a.m. till 9.30 p.m. There was very little more rain after the thunder plump⁷ in the morning + it was mild. Hounds were at Bowhill.

¹ Dr Muir had attended Adam Brydon (about 1837-1919), farmer, of 21 Abbotsford Road, Netherbarns, Galashiels, Selkirkshire, the day before. Adam’s wife Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), had died 9 February 1904, aged 63, of “pneumonia 8 days”. certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c, Selkirk”.

² Assume Ann or Annie Borland née Haddon (about 1851-1922), wife of the Reverend Dr Robert Borland (1844-1912) of Yarrow Manse. They had married in 1882 at Cavers, Roxburghshire. Borland himself was the author of ‘Yarrow Its Poets and Poetry’ and ‘James Hogg The Ettrick Shepherd’, a memorial volume.

³ Epileptiform refers to spike waves, sharp waves, spike and wave activity, or other rhythmic waveforms.

⁴ Perhaps to see John Rutherford (about 1826-1904), garden labourer, whom he had visited on 3 April 1904. John Rutherford was recorded at Old Broadmeadows in the 1901 Census with Betsy Rutherford, his stepdaughter and housekeeper. His wife Isabella Hogarth had died some time previously.

⁵ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, suffering from pneumonia at this time.

⁶ Harry Siegfried Seth Pringle Pattison (1894-1977), sometime Captain, The Cameron Highlanders, son of Andrew Seth Pringle Pattison, formerly Seth, Scottish philosopher, and his wife Eva. The family lived at The Haining, Selkirk.

⁷ A heavy downpour of rain, a deluge, “the heavy shower that often succeeds a clap of thunder” [Source: Dictionar o the Scots Leid].

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Lovely calm morning followed by distinctly the most springlike + pleasantest day we have had this season. The roads were excellent + I was able to cycle. Went to Philiphaugh to breakfast + did not get away till 11. It was chiefly for [illegible]. Came back to Ettrickbank where I opened what I thought was an abscess in Alison Holmes’¹ neck but which turned out to be a collection of fluid like that from a hydrocele. Saw some town cases + Hospital on way back + after lunch cycled to Almshouses, Lilliesleaf, Newhouse + Sinton Mill. After dinner had to go over to Galashiels to see Adam Brydon² who has influenza. Temp. 103.8.

¹ Alison Holmes is so far unidentified.

² Adam Brydon (about 1837-1919), farmer, of 21 Abbotsford Road, Netherbarns, Galashiels, Selkirkshire. His wife Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), had died 9 February 1904, aged 63, of “pneumonia 8 days”. certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c, Selkirk”.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Not so cold + except a little sleety rain in the morning there was no fall. Pleasanter. Jean¹ had a first night with 10 grs trional + 1 tab. Ankirk + H [Heroin].² She had a proper perspiration during the night + nurse had to change her. Her temp. fell to 98.6 but rose again in the forenoon to [left blank]. On the whole she had restless day but took a fair amount of nourishment. Meikle³ called in the morning. I cycled to Bowhill Ettrickbank + Bowhill. Saw the Duke + Duchess + Lord Chas.⁴ Intendedgoing to Sinton Mill but was detained by Mrs Nichol, Mill Street, who had a d. [daughter] at 6.⁵ Jean had a restless night but is certainly better. Meikle found the dullness much less.

¹ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, later Pike (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, suffering from pneumonia at this time.

² This medication is unidentified but Heroin was mentioned in a similar context recently.

³ Robert William Meikle (1870-1962), L.R.C.P. Edinburgh, living at Gowanbrae, Selkirk around 1904 [sources: Medical Register 1903 and Valuation Rolls, 1904] but moved to England between 1908 and early 1911.

⁴ William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch (1831-1924), Louisa Jane Scott née Hamilton (1836-1912) and, presumably, John Charles Montagu Douglas Scott (1864-1935), at this time Earl of Dalkeith, later 7th Duke of Buccleuch.

⁵ Bessie Blacklock Nichol, born 11 April 1904 at Hogg’s Buildings, Mill Street, Selkirk. She was the daughter of John Nichol, wool foreman, and Marion Nichol née Davidson. Her parents had married 9 April 1897 at Edinburgh.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]